OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. 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THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THIS IS THE ENGLISH CLOSED CAPTION CHANNEL OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. ♪ THE MORNING BREAKS,
THE SHADOWS FLEE; ♪ ♪ LO, ZION'S STANDARD
IS UNFURLED! ♪ >> LLOYD NEWELL: FROM THE CONFERENCE CENTER THEATER IN SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, THIS IS THE SATURDAY MORNING SESSION OF THE 191ST ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS WITH SPEAKERS SELECTED FROM THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES AND GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH. MUSIC FOR THIS SESSION IS PROVIDED BY THE TABERNACLE CHOIR AT TEMPLE SQUARE FORM PREVIOUS GENERAL CONFERENCES. THIS BROADCAST IS FURNISHED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE BY BONNEVILLE DISTRIBUTION. ANY REPRODUCTION, RECORDING, TRANSCRIPTION OR OTHER USE OF THIS PROGRAM WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT IS PROHIBITED. PRESIDENT DALLIN H. OAKS, FIRST COUNSELOR IN THE FIRST PRESIDENCY OF THE CHURCH, WILL CONDUCT THIS SESSION. ♪ TO BRING HER RANSOMED
CHILDREN HOME. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> PRESIDENT DALLIN H. OAKS: BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WE WELCOME YOU TO THE SATURDAY MORNING SESSION OF THE 191ST ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. WE EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO MEMBERS AND FRIENDS PARTICIPATING IN THE CONFERENCE WHEREVER YOU MAY BE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON, WHO PRESIDES AT THE CONFERENCE, HAS ASKED ME TO CONDUCT THIS SESSION. ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE GATHERED IN THE CONFERENCE CENTER THEATER IN SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, DUE TO THE CONSTRAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19. BUT WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE TECHNOLOGY THAT ALLOWS US TO SHARE MESSAGES OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THE MUSIC FOR THIS SESSION WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE TABERNACLE CHOIR AT TEMPLE SQUARE. THE SELECTIONS HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AND WILL BE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MACK WILBERG AND RYAN MURPHY WITH VARIOUS ORGANISTS. THE CHOIR OPENED THIS MEETING WITH “THE MORNING BREAKS,” AND WILL NOW FAVOR US WITH “ARISE, O GOD, AND SHINE.” THE INVOCATION WILL THEN BE OFFERED BY ELDER ROBERT C. GAY OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE SEVENTY, AFTER WHICH, THE CHOIR WILL SING “CHOOSE THE RIGHT.” ♪♪ ♪ ARISE, O GOD,
AND SHINE ♪ ♪ IN ALL
THY SAVING MIGHT, ♪ ♪ AND PROSPER
EACH DESIGN ♪ ♪ TO SPREAD
THY GLORIOUS LIGHT; ♪ ♪ LET HEALING STREAMS
OF MERCY FLOW, ♪ ♪ THAT ALL THE EARTH
THY TRUTH MAY KNOW. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ BRING DISTANT
NATIONS NEAR ♪ ♪ TO SING
THY GLORIOUS PRAISE; ♪ ♪ LET EV'RY PEOPLE HEAR
AND LEARN THY HOLY WAYS. ♪ ♪ REIGN, MIGHTY GOD,
ASSERT THY CAUSE, ♪ ♪ AND GOVERN BY
THY RIGHTEOUS LAWS. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ PUT FORTH
THY GLORIOUS POW'R ♪ ♪ THAT GENTILES
ALL MAY SEE, ♪ ♪ AND EARTH PRESENT
HER STORE ♪ ♪ IN CONVERTS
BORN TO THEE. ♪ ♪ O LORD, OUR GOD,
THY CHURCH SO BLESS, ♪ ♪ AND FILL THE WORLD
WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ TO GOD,
THE ONLY WISE, ♪ ♪ THE ONE
IMMORTAL KING, ♪ ♪ LET HALLELUJAHS RISE
FROM EV'RY LIVING THING; ♪ ♪ LET ALL,
LET ALL THAT BREATHE, ♪ ♪ PRAISE FATHER,
SON AND HOLY GHOST. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ON EV'RY COAST, ♪ ♪ PRAISE FATHER,
SON AND HOLY GHOST. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ A-MEN! ♪♪ ♪♪ >> ELDER ROBERT C. GAY: OUR BELOVED FATHER IN HEAVEN, AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS WORLD WEEKEND ESPECIALLY THANK THEE THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THROUGH HIS ATONING SACRIFICE AND RESURRECTION. WE EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE THAT THOU HAS OPEN THE HEAVENS IN OUR DAYS AND THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THY SAVING AND EXALTING TRUTHS AND POWERS FOR ALL PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEIL. WE THANK THEE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE THY WORD OF PROPHESY AND REVELATION. WE ARE MINDFUL AS WE GATHER OF THE GREAT CHALLENGES OF THE WORLD OF STRIFE AND DESPAIR AND CONTENTIONS AND PANDEMIC DISEASE. WE ASK, HEAVENLY FATHER, THAT THOU WILL HELP THE PEACE AND THE LOVE OF OUR SAVIOR WHO CAN HEAL ALL THINGS REST UPON THE NATIONS. WE PRAY THAT THOU WILT LIFT AND COMFORT THE HANDS THAT HANG DOWN AND NOW AS WE BEGIN THIS CONFERENCE WE ASK THAT ALL THOSE WHO AATTEND AND ALL THOSE WHO SPEAK AND THOSE IN WORD THAT WE WILL HAVE THY SPIRIT WITH US, STRENGTHEN US WITH GREATER RESOLVE TO LET THY WILL PREVAIL IN OUR LIVES AND TO FORSAKE OUR SINS THAT WE MAY BECOME THE CHILDREN THOU WOULD HAVE US BE. WE HUMBLY SAY THESE THINGS, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. ♪♪ ♪ CHOOSE THE RIGHT WHEN A
CHOICE IS PLACED BEFORE YOU. ♪ ♪ IN THE RIGHT
THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES; ♪ ♪ AND ITS LIGHT IS FOREVER
SHINING O'ER YOU, ♪ ♪ WHEN IN THE RIGHT
YOUR HEART CONFIDES. ♪ ♪ CHOOSE THE RIGHT! ♪ ♪ CHOOSE THE RIGHT! ♪ ♪ LET WISDOM MARK
THE WAY BEFORE. ♪ ♪ IN ITS LIGHT,
CHOOSE THE RIGHT! ♪ ♪ AND GOD WILL BLESS YOU
EVERMORE. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ CHOOSE THE RIGHT!
LET NO SPIRIT OF DIGRESSION ♪ ♪ OVERCOME YOU
IN THE EVIL HOUR. ♪ ♪ THERE'S THE RIGHT AND THE
WRONG TO EV'RY QUESTION; ♪ ♪ BE SAFE
THRU INSPIRATION'S POW'R. ♪ ♪ CHOOSE THE RIGHT! ♪ ♪ CHOOSE THE RIGHT! ♪ ♪ LET WISDOM MARK
THE WAY BEFORE. ♪ ♪ IN ITS LIGHT,
CHOOSE THE RIGHT! ♪ ♪ AND GOD WILL BLESS YOU
EVERMORE. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ CHOOSE THE RIGHT! ♪ ♪ THERE IS PEACE
IN RIGHTEOUS DOING. ♪ ♪ CHOOSE THE RIGHT!
THERE'S SAFETY FOR THE SOUL. ♪ ♪ CHOOSE THE RIGHT
IN ALL LABORS YOU'RE PURSUING; ♪ ♪ LET GOD AND HEAVEN
BE YOUR GOAL. ♪ ♪ CHOOSE THE RIGHT! ♪ ♪ CHOOSE THE RIGHT! ♪ ♪ LET WISDOM MARK
THE WAY BEFORE. ♪ ♪ IN ITS LIGHT,
CHOOSE THE RIGHT! ♪ ♪ AND GOD WILL BLESS YOU
EVERMORE. ♪ ♪ CHOOSE THE RIGHT! ♪ ♪ CHOOSE THE RIGHT! ♪ ♪ LET WISDOM MARK
THE WAY BEFORE. ♪ ♪ IN ITS LIGHT,
CHOOSE THE RIGHT! ♪ ♪ AND GOD WILL BLESS YOU
EVERMORE. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ EVERMORE ♪♪ >> PRESIDENT OAKS: IT WILL NOW BE OUR PRIVILEGE TO HEAR FROM OUR BELOVED PROPHET, PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON. HE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY ELDER DIETER F. UCHTDORF OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES. SISTER JOY D. JONES, PRIMARY GENERAL PRESIDENT, AND BROTHER JAN E. NEWMAN, SECOND COUNSELOR IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL GENERAL PRESIDENCY, WILL THEN ADDRESS US. >> PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON: MY DEAR BROTHERS, SISTERS, AND FRIENDS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, I OFFER MY PERSONAL WELCOME TO THIS GENERAL CONFERENCE. WE GATHER AS A GREAT GLOBAL FAMILY DESIRING TO WORSHIP OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. THANK YOU FOR JOINING WITH US. THIS LAST YEAR HAS BEEN ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS. NO DOUBT WE HAVE EACH LEARNED THINGS WE DID NOT KNOW PREVIOUSLY. SOME LESSONS THAT I KNEW BEFORE HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ON MY HEART IN NEW AND INSTRUCTIVE WAYS. FOR EXAMPLE, I KNOW FOR SURE THAT THE LORD DIRECTS THE AFFAIRS OF HIS CHURCH. HE SAID, "I WILL SHOW [YOU] ... THAT I AM ABLE TO DO MINE OWN WORK." OFTEN MY COUNSELORS AND I HAVE WATCHED THROUGH TEAR-BRIMMED EYES AS HE HAS INTERCEDED IN EXTREMELY CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER WE HAD DONE OUR BEST AND COULD DO NO MORE. WE DO INDEED STAND ALL AMAZED. I ALSO UNDERSTAND BETTER NOW WHAT HE MEANT WHEN HE SAID, "BEHOLD, I WILL HASTEN MY WORK IN ITS TIME." OVER AND OVER AGAIN I HAVE REJOICED AS HE HAS DIRECTED AND EXECUTED THE HASTENING OF HIS WORK--EVEN DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC. MY DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THE STRENGTH OF THE CHURCH LIES IN THE EFFORTS AND EVER-GROWING TESTIMONIES OF ITS MEMBERS. TESTIMONIES ARE BEST CULTIVATED IN THE HOME. DURING THIS PAST YEAR, MANY OF YOU HAVE DRAMATICALLY INCREASED THE STUDY OF THE GOSPEL IN YOUR HOMES. I THANK YOU, AND YOUR CHILDREN WILL THANK YOU. THE HUGE PROJECT TO RENOVATE THE SALT LAKE TEMPLE CONTINUES. FROM MY OFFICE, I HAVE A FRONT-ROW SEAT TO WATCH THE WORK TAKING PLACE ON THE TEMPLE PLAZA. AS I HAVE WATCHED WORKERS DIG OUT OLD TREE ROOTS, PLUMBING, WIRING, AND A LEAKY FOUNTAIN, I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THE NEED FOR EACH OF US TO REMOVE, WITH THE SAVIOR'S HELP, THE OLD DEBRIS IN OUR LIVES. THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IS A GOSPEL OF REPENTANCE. BECAUSE OF THE SAVIOR'S ATONEMENT, HIS GOSPEL PROVIDES AN INVITATION TO KEEP CHANGING, GROWING, AND BECOMING MORE PURE. IT IS A GOSPEL OF HOPE, OF HEALING, AND OF PROGRESS. THUS THE GOSPEL IS A MESSAGE OF JOY! OUR SPIRITS REJOICE WITH EVERY SMALL STEP FORWARD WE TAKE. PART OF THE GATHERING OF ISRAEL--AND A VERY IMPORTANT PART--IS THE CHARGE FOR US AS A PEOPLE TO BE WORTHY AND WILLING TO HELP PREPARE THE WORLD FOR THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD. AS WE LISTEN TO THE MESSAGES THAT HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY PREPARED BY OUR LEADERS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE HOLY GHOST, I INVITE YOU TO PRAY TO IDENTIFY THE DEBRIS YOU SHOULD REMOVE FROM YOUR LIFE SO YOU CAN BECOME MORE WORTHY. I LOVE YOU, MY DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, AND TESTIFY THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND HIS BELOVED SON KNOW AND LOVE YOU INDIVIDUALLY. THEY STAND READY TO ASSIST YOU IN EVERY STEP FORWARD YOU TAKE. WELCOME TO GENERAL CONFERENCE AND TO THE PRIVILEGE OF HEARING THE VOICE OF THE LORD, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> ELDER DIETER F. UCHTDORF: THROUGHOUT THE AGES, GOD HAS SPOKEN THROUGH HIS SERVANTS, THE PROPHETS. THIS MORNING, WE HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO HEAR THE PRO THIS MORNING, WE HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO HEAR THE PROPHET OF GOD SPEAK TO ALL THE WORLD. WE LOVE YOU, PRESIDENT NELSON AND I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE TO STUDY AND HEED YOUR WORDS. BEFORE I REACHED MY 12TH BIRTHDAY, OUR FAMILY HAD BEEN FORCED TWICE TO FLEE OUR HOME AND START OVER AMID THE CHAOS, FEAR, AND UNCERTAINTIES CAUSED BY WAR AND POLITICAL DIVISION. IT WAS AN ANXIOUS TIME FOR ME, BUT IT MUST HAVE BEEN TERRIFYING FOR MY BELOVED PARENTS. MY MOTHER AND FATHER SHARED LITTLE ABOUT THIS BURDEN WITH US FOUR CHILDREN. THEY BORE THE STRAIN AND SUFFERING AS BEST THEY COULD. THE FEAR MUST HAVE BEEN OPPRESSIVE, AND CONSUMING THEIR HOURS AND DAMPENING THEIR HOPE. THIS TIME OF BLEAKNESS AFTER WORLD WAR II LEFT ITS MARK UPON THE WORLD. IT LEFT ITS MARK UPON ME. BACK THEN, IN THE SOLITUDE OF MY LONELIEST HOURS, I OFTEN WONDERED, "IS THERE ANY HOPE LEFT IN THE WORLD?" AS I PONDERED THESE QUESTIONS, I THOUGHT ABOUT OUR YOUNG AMERICAN MISSIONARIES WHO SERVED AMONG US DURING THOSE YEARS. THEY HAD LEFT THE SAFETY OF THEIR HOMES HALF A WORLD AWAY AND TRAVELED TO GERMANY--LAND OF THEIR RECENT ENEMIES--TO OFFER DIVINE HOPE TO OUR PEOPLE. THEY CAME NOT TO BLAME, LECTURE, OR SHAME. THEY WILLINGLY GAVE OF THEIR YOUNG LIVES WITHOUT THOUGHT OF EARTHLY GAIN, WANTING ONLY TO HELP OTHERS FIND THE JOY AND PEACE THEY HAD EXPERIENCED. TO ME, THESE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WERE PERFECT. I AM SURE THEY HAD FLAWS, BUT NOT TO ME. I WILL ALWAYS THINK OF THEM AS BEING BIGGER THAN LIFE--ANGELS OF LIGHT AND GLORY, MINISTERS OF COMPASSION, GOODNESS, AND TRUTH. WHILE THE WORLD WAS DROWNING IN CYNICISM, BITTERNESS, HATRED, AND FEAR, THE EXAMPLE AND TEACHINGS OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE FILLED ME WITH HOPE. THE GOSPEL MESSAGE THEY OFFERED TRANSCENDED POLITICS, HISTORY, GRUDGES, GRIEVANCES, AND PERSONAL AGENDAS. IT GAVE DIVINE ANSWERS TO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS WE HAD DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES. THE MESSAGE WAS THAT GOD LIVED AND CARED ABOUT US, EVEN IN THESE HOURS OF TURMOIL, CONFUSION, AND CHAOS. THAT HE ACTUALLY APPEARED IN OUR TIME TO RESTORE TRUTH AND LIGHT--HIS GOSPEL AND HIS CHURCH. THAT HE SPEAKS TO PROPHETS AGAIN; THAT GOD IS AMONG US--AND IS PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN OUR LIVES AND ACTIVELY GUIDING HIS CHILDREN. IT IS ASTONISHING WHAT WE CAN LEARN WHEN WE LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER AT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER'S PLAN OF SALVATION AND EXALTATION, THE PLAN OF HAPPINESS, FOR HIS CHILDREN. WHEN WE FEEL INSIGNIFICANT, CAST OFF, AND FORGOTTEN, WE LEARN THAT WE MAY BE ASSURED THAT GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN US; IN FACT, THAT HE OFFERS TO ALL HIS CHILDREN, SOMETHING UNIMAGINABLE: TO BECOME "HEIRS OF GOD, AND JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST." WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? THAT WE WILL LIVE FOREVER, RECEIVE A FULNESS OF JOY, AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO "INHERIT THRONES, KINGDOMS, PRINCIPALITIES, AND POWERS." IT IS SO HUMBLING TO KNOW THAT THIS MAGNIFICENT AND SUPERNAL FUTURE IS POSSIBLE--NOT BECAUSE OF WHO WE ARE, BUT BECAUSE OF WHO GOD IS. KNOWING THIS, HOW COULD WE EVER MURMUR OR REMAIN EMBITTERED? HOW COULD WE EVER KEEP OUR EYES ON THE GROUND WHEN THE KING OF KINGS INVITES US TO TAKE FLIGHT INTO AN UNIMAGINABLE FUTURE OF DIVINE HAPPINESS? BECAUSE OF GOD'S PERFECT LOVE FOR US, AND THE ETERNAL SACRIFICE OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR SINS--BOTH GREAT AND SMALL--CAN BE BLOTTED OUT AND REMEMBERED NO MORE. WE CAN STAND BEFORE HIM PURE, WORTHY, AND SANCTIFIED. MY HEART OVERFLOWS WITH GRATITUDE FOR MY HEAVENLY FATHER. I REALIZE THAT HE HAS NOT DOOMED HIS CHILDREN TO STUMBLE THROUGH MORTALITY WITHOUT HOPE FOR A BRIGHT AND ETERNAL FUTURE. HE HAS PROVIDED INSTRUCTIONS THAT REVEAL THE WAY BACK TO HIM. AND AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL IS HIS BELOVED SON JESUS CHRIST AND HIS SACRIFICE FOR US. THE SAVIOR'S INFINITE ATONEMENT COMPLETELY CHANGES THE WAY WE MAY VIEW OUR TRANSGRESSIONS AND IMPERFECTIONS. INSTEAD OF DWELLING ON THEM AND FEELING IRREDEEMABLE OR HOPELESS, WE CAN LEARN FROM THEM AND FEEL HOPEFUL. THE CLEANSING GIFT OF REPENTANCE ALLOWS US TO LEAVE OUR SINS BEHIND AND EMERGE A NEW CREATURE. BECAUSE OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR FAILURES DO NOT HAVE TO DEFINE US. THEY CAN REFINE US. LIKE A MUSICIAN REHEARSING SCALES, WE CAN SEE OUR MISSTEPS, FLAWS, AND SINS AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR GREATER SELF-AWARENESS, DEEPER AND MORE HONEST LOVE FOR OTHERS, AND REFINEMENT THROUGH REPENTANCE. IF WE REPENT, MISTAKES DO NOT DISQUALIFY US. THEY ARE PART OF OUR PROGRESS. WE ARE ALL INFANTS COMPARED TO THE BEINGS OF GLORY AND GRANDEUR WE ARE DESIGNED TO BECOME. NO MORTAL BEING ADVANCES FROM CRAWLING TO WALKING TO RUNNING WITHOUT FREQUENT STUMBLES, BUMPS, AND BRUISES. THAT IS HOW WE LEARN. IF WE EARNESTLY KEEP PRACTICING, ALWAYS STRIVING TO KEEP GOD'S COMMANDMENTS, AND COMMITTING OUR EFFORTS TO REPENTING, ENDURING, AND APPLYING WHAT WE LEARN, LINE UPON LINE, WE WILL GATHER LIGHT INTO OUR SOULS. AND THOUGH WE MAY NOT FULLY COMPREHEND OUR FULL POTENTIAL NOW, "WE KNOW THAT, WHEN [THE SAVIOR] SHALL APPEAR", WE WILL SEE HIS COUNTENANCE IN US, "[AND] SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS." WHAT A GLORIOUS PROMISE! YES, THE WORLD IS IN TURMOIL. AND YES, WE HAVE WEAKNESSES. BUT WE DO NOT NEED TO HANG OUR HEAD IN DESPAIR, BECAUSE WE CAN TRUST GOD, WE CAN TRUST HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, AND WE CAN ACCEPT THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT TO GUIDE US ON THIS PATH TOWARD A LIFE FILLED WITH JOY AND DIVINE HAPPINESS. I OFTEN HAVE WONDERED, WHAT WOULD JESUS TEACH AND DO IF HE WERE AMONG US TODAY? AFTER THE RESURRECTION, JESUS CHRIST FULFILLED HIS PROMISE TO VISIT HIS "OTHER SHEEP." THE BOOK OF MORMON, ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST, SPEAKS OF SUCH AN APPEARANCE TO THE PEOPLE ON THE AMERICAN CONTINENT. WE HAVE THIS PRECIOUS RECORD AS A TANGIBLE WITNESS OF THE SAVIOR'S WORK. THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK OF MORMON LIVED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLOBE--THEIR HISTORIES, CULTURES, AND POLITICAL CLIMATES WERE VASTLY DIFFERENT FROM THE PEOPLE JESUS TAUGHT DURING HIS MORTAL MINISTRY. AND YET HE TAUGHT THEM MANY OF THE SAME THINGS HE TAUGHT IN THE HOLY LAND. WHY WOULD HE DO THAT? THE SAVIOR ALWAYS TEACHES TIMELESS TRUTHS. THEY APPLY TO PEOPLE OF EVERY AGE AND IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. HIS MESSAGE WAS AND IS A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND BELONGING--A TESTIMONY THAT GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER HAS NOT ABANDONED HIS CHILDREN. THAT GOD IS AMONG US! 200 YEARS AGO, THE SAVIOR AGAIN RETURNED TO EARTH. TOGETHER WITH GOD THE FATHER HE APPEARED TO A 14-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH SMITH AND USHERED IN THE RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL AND THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST. FROM THAT DAY FORWARD, THE HEAVENS OPENED, AND HEAVENLY MESSENGERS DESCENDED FROM HALLS OF IMMORTAL GLORY. LIGHT AND KNOWLEDGE POURED FORTH FROM THE CELESTIAL THRONE. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST SPOKE ONCE AGAIN TO THE WORLD. WHAT DID HE SAY? TO OUR BLESSING, MANY OF HIS WORDS ARE RECORDED IN THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS-- AVAILABLE TO ANYONE IN THE WORLD WHO WISHES TO READ AND STUDY THEM. HOW PRICELESS ARE THESE WORDS TO US TODAY! AND WE SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THE SAVIOR AGAIN TEACHES THE CORE MESSAGE OF HIS GOSPEL: "THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, WITH ALL THY MIGHT, MIND, AND STRENGTH; AND IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST THOU SHALT SERVE HIM." HE INSPIRES US TO SEEK GOD AND LIVE BY THE TEACHINGS HE HAS REVEALED TO HIS SERVANTS, THE PROPHETS. HE TEACHES US TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND TO BE, "FULL OF CHARITY TOWARDS ALL MEN." HE INVITES US TO BE HIS HANDS, TO GO ABOUT DOING GOOD. "LET US NOT LOVE IN WORD, NEITHER IN TONGUE; BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH." HE CHALLENGES US TO HEED HIS GREAT COMMISSION. TO LOVE, TO SHARE, TO INVITE ALL TO HIS GOSPEL AND HIS CHURCH. HE COMMANDS US TO BUILD HOLY TEMPLES AND TO ENTER AND SERVE THERE." HE TEACHES US TO BECOME HIS DISCIPLES. THAT OUR HEARTS SHOULD NOT STRIVE FOR PERSONAL POWER, WEALTH, APPROVAL, OR POSITION. HE TEACHES US TO "LAY ASIDE THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD, AND SEEK FOR THE THINGS OF A BETTER." HE URGES US TO SEEK JOY, ENLIGHTENMENT, PEACE, TRUTH HAPPINESS, AND THE PROMISE OF IMMORTALITY AND ETERNAL LIFE. LET US TAKE THIS A STEP FURTHER. SUPPOSE JESUS CAME TO YOUR WARD, TO YOUR BRANCH, OR TO YOUR HOME TODAY. WHAT WOULD THAT BE LIKE? HE WOULD SEE RIGHT INTO YOUR HEART. OUTWARD APPEARANCES WOULD LOSE THEIR IMPORTANCE. HE WOULD KNOW YOU AS YOU ARE. HE WOULD KNOW YOUR HEART'S DESIRES. THE MEEK AND THE HUMBLE HE WOULD LIFT. THE SICK HE WOULD HEAL. THE DOUBTING HE WOULD INFUSE WITH FAITH AND COURAGE TO BELIEVE. HE WOULD TEACH US TO OPEN OUR HEARTS TO GOD AND REACH OUT TO OTHERS. HE WOULD RECOGNIZE AND HONOR HONESTY, HUMILITY, INTEGRITY, FAITHFULNESS, COMPASSION, AND CHARITY. ONE LOOK INTO HIS EYES AND WE WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME. WE WOULD BE FOREVER CHANGED. TRANSFORMED BY THE PROFOUND REALIZATION THAT, INDEED, GOD IS AMONG US. I LOOK BACK WITH KINDNESS ON THE YOUNG MAN I WAS DURING MY GROWING UP YEARS. IF I COULD GO BACK IN TIME, I WOULD COMFORT HIM AND TELL HIM TO STAY ON THE RIGHT TRACK AND KEEP SEARCHING. AND I WOULD ASK HIM TO INVITE JESUS CHRIST INTO HIS LIFE, FOR GOD IS AMONG US! TO YOU, MY DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, MY DEAR FRIENDS, AND TO ALL WHO ARE SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS, TRUTH, AND HAPPINESS, I DO OFFER THE SAME COUNSEL: KEEP SEARCHING WITH FAITH AND PATIENCE. ASK, AND YOU WILL RECEIVE. KNOCK, AND IT WILL BE OPENED UNTO YOU. TRUST THE LORD. IN OUR DAILY LIFE IT IS OUR PARAMOUNT TASK AND BLESSED OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOUNTER GOD. AS WE SET ASIDE PRIDE AND APPROACH HIS THRONE WITH A BROKEN HEART AND A CONTRITE SPIRIT, HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO US. AS WE SEEK TO FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST AND WALK THE PATH OF DISCIPLESHIP, LINE UPON LINE, THE DAY WILL COME THAT WE WILL EXPERIENCE THAT UNIMAGINABLE GIFT OF RECEIVING A FULNESS OF JOY. MY BELOVED FRIENDS, YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER LOVES YOU WITH A PERFECT LOVE. HE HAS PROVEN HIS LOVE IN ENDLESS WAYS, BUT ABOVE ALL BY GIVING HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON AS A SACRIFICE AND AS A GIFT TO HIS CHILDREN TO MAKE THE RETURN TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, TO OUR HEAVENLY PARENTS A REALITY. I BEAR WITNESS THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER LIVES, THAT JESUS CHRIST LEADS HIS CHURCH, THAT PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON IS HIS PROPHET. I EXTEND TO YOU MY LOVE AND BLESSING AT THIS JOYFUL EASTER SEASON. OPEN YOUR HEARTS TO OUR SAVIOR AND REDEEMER, NO MATTER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, TRIALS, SUFFERINGS, OR MISTAKES; YOU CAN KNOW THAT HE LIVES, AND THAT HE LOVES YOU, AND BECAUSE OF HIM, YOU WILL NEVER BE ALONE. GOD IS AMONG US. OF THIS I TESTIFY AND BEAR WITNESS IN THE SACRED NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> SISTER JOY D. JONES: HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHY WE CALL PRIMARY "PRIMARY"? WHILE THE NAME REFERS TO SPIRITUAL LEARNING CHILDREN RECEIVE IN THEIR EARLIEST YEARS, TO ME IT IS ALSO A REMINDER OF A POWERFUL TRUTH. TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, CHILDREN HAVE NEVER BEEN SECONDARY--THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PRIMARY. HE TRUSTS US TO VALUE, RESPECT, AND PROTECT THEM AS CHILDREN OF GOD. THAT MEANS WE NEVER HARM THEM PHYSICALLY, VERBALLY, OR EMOTIONALLY IN ANY WAY, EVEN WHEN TENSIONS AND PRESSURES RUN HIGH. INSTEAD WE VALUE CHILDREN AND DO ALL WE CAN TO COMBAT THE EVILS OF ABUSE. THEIR CARE IS PRIMARY TO US-- AS IT IS TO HIM. ONE YOUNG MOTHER AND FATHER SAT AT THEIR KITCHEN TABLE REVIEWING THEIR DAY. FROM DOWN THE HALL, THEY HEARD A THUD. THE MOTHER ASKED, "WHAT WAS THAT?" THEN THEY HEARD A SOFT CRY COMING FROM THEIR FOUR-YEAR-OLD SON'S BEDROOM. THEY RUSHED DOWN THE HALL. THERE HE WAS, LYING ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO HIS BED. THE MOTHER PICKED UP THE LITTLE BOY AND ASKED HIM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. HE SAID, "I FELL OUT OF BED." SHE SAID, "WHY DID YOU FALL OUT OF BED?" HE SHRUGGED AND SAID, "I DON'T KNOW. I GUESS I JUST DIDN'T GET FAR ENOUGH IN." IT IS ABOUT THIS "GETTING FAR ENOUGH IN" THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THIS MORNING. IT IS OUR PRIVILEGE AND RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP CHILDREN "GET FAR ENOUGH IN" TO THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. AND WE CANNOT BEGIN TOO SOON. THERE IS A UNIQUELY SPECIAL TIME IN CHILDREN'S LIVES WHEN THEY ARE PROTECTED FROM SATAN'S INFLUENCE. IT IS A TIME WHEN THEY ARE INNOCENT AND SIN-FREE. IT IS A SACRED TIME FOR PARENT AND CHILD. CHILDREN ARE TO BE TAUGHT BY WORD AND EXAMPLE BEFORE AND AFTER THEY HAVE "ARRIVED UNTO THE YEARS OF ACCOUNTABILITY BEFORE GOD." PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING TAUGHT: "WE HAVE THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITY WITH THE YOUNG. THE BEST TIME TO TEACH IS EARLY, WHILE CHILDREN ARE STILL IMMUNE TO THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE MORTAL ENEMY, AND LONG BEFORE THE WORDS OF TRUTH MAY BE HARDER FOR THEM TO HEAR IN THE NOISE OF THEIR PERSONAL STRUGGLES." SUCH TEACHING WILL HELP THEM REALIZE THEIR DIVINE IDENTITY, THEIR PURPOSE, AND THE RICH BLESSINGS THAT AWAIT THEM AS THEY MAKE SACRED COVENANTS AND RECEIVE ORDINANCES ALONG THE COVENANT PATH. WE CANNOT WAIT FOR CONVERSION TO SIMPLY HAPPEN TO OUR CHILDREN. ACCIDENTAL CONVERSION IS NOT A PRINCIPLE OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. BECOMING LIKE OUR SAVIOR WILL NOT HAPPEN RANDOMLY. BEING INTENTIONAL IN LOVING, TEACHING, AND TESTIFYING CAN HELP CHILDREN BEGIN AT A YOUNG AGE TO FEEL THE INFLUENCE OF THE HOLY GHOST. THE HOLY GHOST IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR CHILDREN'S TESTIMONY OF AND CONVERSION TO JESUS CHRIST; WE DESIRE THEM TO "ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM, THAT THEY MAY HAVE HIS SPIRIT TO BE WITH THEM." CONSIDER THE VALUE OF FAMILY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST--ESSENTIAL CONVERSATIONS THAT CAN INVITE THE SPIRIT. WHEN WE HAVE SUCH CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR CHILDREN, WE HELP THEM CREATE A FOUNDATION "WHICH IS A SURE FOUNDATION, A FOUNDATION WHEREON IF [THEY] BUILD THEY CANNOT FALL." WHEN WE STRENGTHEN A CHILD, WE STRENGTHEN THE FAMILY. THESE VITAL DISCUSSIONS CAN LEAD CHILDREN TO UNDERSTAND THE DOCTRINE OF REPENTANCE, HAVE FAITH IN CHRIST THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD, CHOOSE BAPTISM AND THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST WHEN EIGHT YEARS OLD, AND PRAY AND WALK UPRIGHTLY BEFORE THE LORD. THE SAVIOR URGED, "THEREFORE I GIVE UNTO YOU A COMMANDMENT, TO TEACH THESE THINGS FREELY UNTO YOUR CHILDREN." AND WHAT DID HE WANT US TO TEACH SO FREELY? 1. THE FALL OF ADAM, 2. THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST, AND 3. BEING BORN AGAIN. ELDER D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON SAID, "CERTAINLY THE ADVERSARY IS PLEASED WHEN PARENTS NEGLECT TO TEACH AND TRAIN THEIR CHILDREN TO HAVE FAITH IN CHRIST AND BE SPIRITUALLY BORN AGAIN." IN CONTRAST, THE SAVIOR WOULD HAVE US HELP CHILDREN "PUT [THEIR] TRUST IN THAT SPIRIT WHICH LEADETH TO DO GOOD." TO DO SO, WE CAN ASSIST CHILDREN IN RECOGNIZING WHEN THEY ARE FEELING THE SPIRIT AND IN DISCERNING WHAT ACTIONS CAUSE THE SPIRIT TO LEAVE. THUS THEY LEARN TO REPENT AND RETURN TO THE LIGHT THROUGH THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST. THIS HELPS ENCOURAGE SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE. WE CAN HAVE FUN HELPING OUR CHILDREN BUILD SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE AT ANY AGE. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE COMPLICATED OR TIME INTENSIVE. SIMPLE, CARING CONVERSATIONS CAN LEAD CHILDREN TO KNOW NOT ONLY WHAT THEY BELIEVE BUT, MOST IMPORTANT, WHY THEY BELIEVE IT. CARING CONVERSATIONS, HAPPENING NATURALLY AND CONSISTENTLY, CAN LEAD TO BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND ANSWERS. LET'S NOT ALLOW THE CONVENIENCE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO KEEP US FROM TEACHING AND LISTENING TO OUR CHILDREN AND LOOKING INTO THEIR EYES. ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ESSENTIAL CONVERSATIONS CAN OCCUR THROUGH ROLE-PLAYING. FAMILY MEMBERS CAN ACT OUT SITUATIONS OF BEING TEMPTED OR PRESSURED TO MAKE A BAD CHOICE. SUCH AN EXERCISE CAN FORTIFY CHILDREN TO BE PREPARED IN A CHALLENGING SETTING. FOR EXAMPLE, WE CAN ACT IT OUT AND THEN TALK IT OUT AS WE ASK CHILDREN WHAT THEY WOULD DO IF THEY ARE TEMPTED TO BREAK THE WORD OF WISDOM, IF THEY ARE EXPOSED TO PORNOGRAPHY, IF THEY ARE TEMPTED TO LIE, STEAL, OR CHEAT, IF THEY HEAR SOMETHING FROM A FRIEND OR TEACHER AT SCHOOL THAT DISPUTES THEIR BELIEFS OR VALUES. AS THEY ACT IT OUT AND THEN TALK IT OUT, RATHER THAN BEING CAUGHT UNPREPARED IN A HOSTILE PEER-GROUP SETTING, CHILDREN CAN BE ARMED WITH "THE SHIELD OF FAITH WHEREWITH [THEY] SHALL BE ABLE TO QUENCH ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED." A CLOSE PERSONAL FRIEND LEARNED THIS CRUCIAL LESSON EARLY AS AN 18-YEAR-OLD. HE ENLISTED IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY DURING THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND VIETNAM. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO BASIC TRAINING IN THE INFANTRY TO BECOME A FOOT SOLDIER. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE TRAINING WAS GRUELING. HE DESCRIBED HIS DRILL INSTRUCTOR AS CRUEL AND INHUMANE. ONE PARTICULAR DAY, HIS SQUAD WAS DRESSED IN FULL BATTLE GEAR, HIKING IN SWELTERING HEAT. THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR SUDDENLY SHOUTED ORDERS TO DROP TO THE GROUND AND NOT MOVE. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS WATCHING FOR EVEN THE SLIGHTEST MOTION. ANY MOVEMENT WOULD RESULT IN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES LATER ON. THE SQUAD SUFFERED FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS IN THE HEAT WITH GROWING ANGER AND RESENTMENT TOWARD THEIR LEADER. MANY MONTHS LATER, OUR FRIEND FOUND HIMSELF LEADING HIS SQUAD THROUGH THE JUNGLES OF VIETNAM. THIS WAS REAL, NOT JUST TRAINING. SHOTS BEGAN TO RING FROM HIGH IN THE SURROUNDING TREES. THE ENTIRE SQUAD IMMEDIATELY DROPPED TO THE GROUND. WHAT WAS THE ENEMY LOOKING FOR? MOVEMENT. ANY MOTION AT ALL WOULD DRAW FIRE. MY FRIEND SAID THAT AS HE LAID SWEATING AND MOTIONLESS ON THE JUNGLE FLOOR WAITING FOR DARK FOR SEVERAL LONG HOURS, HIS THOUGHTS REFLECTED BACK ON BASIC TRAINING. HE REMEMBERED HIS INTENSE DISLIKE FOR HIS DRILL INSTRUCTOR. NOW, HE FELT INTENSE GRATITUDE FOR WHAT HE HAD TAUGHT HIM AND HOW HE HAD PREPARED HIM FOR THIS CRITICAL SITUATION. THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR HAD WISELY EQUIPPED OUR FRIEND AND HIS SQUAD WITH THE ABILITY TO KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN THE BATTLE WAS RAGING. HE HAD, IN EFFECT, SAVED OUR FRIEND'S LIFE. HOW CAN WE DO THE SAME FOR OUR CHILDREN SPIRITUALLY? LONG BEFORE THEY ENTER THE BATTLEFIELD OF LIFE, HOW CAN WE MORE FULLY STRIVE TO TEACH, FORTIFY, AND PREPARE THEM? HOW CAN WE INVITE THEM TO "GET FAR ENOUGH IN"? WOULDN'T WE RATHER HAVE THEM SWEAT IN THE SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT OF THE HOME THAN BLEED ON THE BATTLEFIELDS OF LIFE? AS I LOOK BACK, THERE WERE TIMES WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I FELT LIKE DRILL INSTRUCTORS IN OUR EARNESTNESS TO HELP OUR CHILDREN LIVE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. THE PROPHET JACOB SEEMED TO VOICE THESE SAME FEELINGS WHEN HE SAID: "I AM DESIROUS FOR THE WELFARE OF YOUR SOULS. YEA, MINE ANXIETY IS GREAT FOR YOU; AND YE YOURSELVES KNOW THAT IT EVER HAS BEEN." AS CHILDREN LEARN AND PROGRESS, THEIR BELIEFS WILL BE CHALLENGED. BUT AS THEY ARE PROPERLY EQUIPPED, THEY CAN GROW IN FAITH, COURAGE, AND CONFIDENCE--EVEN IN THE MIDST OF STRONG OPPOSITION. ALMA TAUGHT US TO "PREPARE THE MINDS OF [THE] CHILDREN." WE ARE PREPARING THE RISING GENERATION TO BE THE FUTURE DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH, TO UNDERSTAND "THAT [THEY] ARE FREE TO ACT FOR [THEMSELVES]--TO CHOOSE THE WAY OF EVERLASTING DEATH OR THE WAY OF ETERNAL LIFE." CHILDREN DESERVE TO UNDERSTAND THIS GREAT TRUTH: ETERNITY IS THE WRONG THING TO BE WRONG ABOUT. MAY OUR SIMPLE YET ESSENTIAL CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR CHILDREN HELP THEM TO "ENJOY THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE" NOW SO THAT THEY MAY ENJOY "ETERNAL LIFE IN THE WORLD TO COME, EVEN IMMORTAL GLORY." AS WE NURTURE AND PREPARE OUR CHILDREN, WE ALLOW FOR THEIR AGENCY, WE LOVE THEM WITH ALL OUR HEART, WE TEACH THEM GOD'S COMMANDMENTS AND HIS GIFT OF REPENTANCE, AND WE NEVER, EVER GIVE UP ON THEM. AFTER ALL, ISN'T THIS THE LORD'S WAY WITH EACH OF US? LET US PRESS FORWARD WITH A STEADFASTNESS IN CHRIST, KNOWING THAT WE CAN HAVE "A PERFECT BRIGHTNESS OF HOPE" THROUGH OUR LOVING SAVIOR. I TESTIFY THAT HE IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER. IN THE SACRED NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> BROTHER JAN E. NEWMAN: A FEW MONTHS AGO, A FORMER CLASSMATE FROM MY HOMETOWN OF OVERTON, NEVADA, SUGGESTED WE PUT TOGETHER A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR OUR BELOVED KINDERGARTEN TEACHER, WHO HAD RECENTLY CELEBRATED HER 98TH BIRTHDAY. SHE TAUGHT US TO BE KIND, THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD NAP, THE JOY OF MILK AND GRAHAM CRACKERS, AND TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. THANK YOU, SISTER DAVIS, FOR BEING SUCH A WONDERFUL TEACHER. I HAD ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL TEACHER WHILE ATTENDING RICKS COLLEGE MANY YEARS AGO. I WAS PREPARING TO SERVE A MISSION AND THOUGHT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO ATTEND A MISSIONARY PREPARATION CLASS. WHAT I EXPERIENCED CHANGED MY LIFE. FROM THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS, I REALIZED I WAS IN THE PRESENCE OF A MASTER TEACHER. THE TEACHER WAS BROTHER F. MELVIN HAMMOND. I KNEW BROTHER HAMMOND LOVED THE LORD AND HE LOVED ME. I COULD SEE IT IN HIS FACE AND HEAR IT IN HIS VOICE. WHEN HE TAUGHT, THE SPIRIT ENLIGHTENED MY MIND. HE TAUGHT DOCTRINE, BUT HE ALSO INVITED ME TO LEARN IT ON MY OWN. THAT INVITATION HELPED ME CLEARLY SEE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO LEARN THE LORD'S DOCTRINE FOR MYSELF. THAT EXPERIENCE CHANGED ME FOREVER. THANK YOU, BROTHER HAMMOND, FOR TEACHING IN THE SAVIOR'S WAY. BROTHERS AND SISTERS, EVERYONE DESERVES TO HAVE THIS KIND OF LEARNING EXPERIENCE BOTH AT HOME AND AT CHURCH. THE INTRODUCTION TO "COME, FOLLOW ME" GIVES A VISION OF WHAT CHRISTLIKE TEACHING CAN ACCOMPLISH. "THE AIM OF ALL GOSPEL LEARNING AND TEACHING," IT SAYS, "IS TO DEEPEN OUR CONVERSION TO JESUS CHRIST AND HELP US BECOME MORE LIKE HIM. ... THE KIND OF GOSPEL LEARNING THAT STRENGTHENS OUR FAITH AND LEADS TO THE MIRACLE OF CONVERSION DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE. IT EXTENDS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM INTO AN INDIVIDUAL'S HEART AND HOME." THE SCRIPTURES INDICATE THAT THE SAVIOR'S MINISTRY IN ANCIENT AMERICA WAS SO IMPACTFUL AND WIDESPREAD THAT "THE PEOPLE WERE ALL CONVERTED UNTO THE LORD, UPON ALL THE FACE OF THE LAND, BOTH NEPHITES AND LAMANITES, AND THERE WERE NO CONTENTIONS AND DISPUTATIONS AMONG THEM, AND EVERY MAN DID DEAL JUSTLY ONE WITH ANOTHER." HOW CAN OUR TEACHING HAVE A SIMILAR EFFECT ON THOSE WE LOVE? HOW CAN WE TEACH MORE LIKE THE SAVIOR AND HELP OTHERS BECOME MORE DEEPLY CONVERTED? ALLOW ME TO OFFER A FEW SUGGESTIONS. FIRST AND FOREMOST, TAKE IT UPON YOURSELF TO LEARN ALL YOU CAN ABOUT THE MASTER TEACHER HIMSELF. HOW DID HE SHOW LOVE FOR OTHERS? WHAT DID THEY FEEL WHEN HE TAUGHT? WHAT DID HE TEACH? WHAT WERE HIS EXPECTATIONS OF THOSE HE TAUGHT? THESE, EVALUATE AND ADJUST YOURE WAY OF TEACHING TO BE MORE LIKE HIS. THE CHURCH PROVIDES MANY TEACHING RESOURCES IN THE GOSPEL LIBRARY APP AND ON CHURCHOFJESUSCHRIST.ORG. ONE SUCH RESOURCE IS TITLED TEACHING IN THE SAVIOR'S WAY. I INVITE YOU TO READ AND STUDY ITS EVERY WORD. ITS PRINCIPLES WILL ASSIST YOU IN YOUR EFFORTS TO BE MORE CHRISTLIKE IN YOUR TEACHING. MY NEXT SUGGESTION CAN BE ILLUSTRATED WITH AN EXPERIENCE I HAD A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN I STOPPED BY TO VISIT A DEAR FRIEND. I COULD HEAR HIS WIFE IN THE BACKGROUND SPEAKING WITH SOMEONE, SO I QUICKLY EXCUSED MYSELF SO HE COULD GET BACK TO HIS FAMILY. AN HOUR OR SO LATER I RECEIVED THIS TEXT MESSAGE FROM HIS SWEET WIFE: "BROTHER NEWMAN, THANKS FOR COMING OVER. WE SHOULD HAVE INVITED YOU IN, BUT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT WE WERE DOING. SINCE THE PANDEMIC, WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING "COME, FOLLOW ME" WITH OUR ADULT CHILDREN EVERY SUNDAY OVER ZOOM. IT HAS LITERALLY BEEN WORKING MIRACLES. I THINK IT IS THE FIRST TIME OUR DAUGHTER HAS READ THE BOOK OF MORMON ON HER OWN. TODAY WAS THE LAST LESSON ON THE BOOK OF MORMON, AND WE WERE JUST FINISHING WHEN YOU CAME BY. ... I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED TO HEAR HOW "COME, FOLLOW ME," ZOOM, AND A PANDEMIC HAVE PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY AT THE RIGHT TIME TO CHANGE A HEART. IT MAKES ME WONDER HOW MANY LITTLE MIRACLES HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE DURING THIS ODD TIME." THIS SOUNDS TO ME LIKE A FULFILLMENT OF THE PROMISE PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON MADE IN OCTOBER 2018. HE SAID THAT HOME-CENTERED, CHURCH-SUPPORTED GOSPEL LEARNING "HAS THE POTENTIAL TO UNLEASH THE POWER OF FAMILIES, AS EACH FAMILY FOLLOWS THROUGH CONSCIENTIOUSLY AND CAREFULLY TO TRANSFORM THEIR HOME INTO A SANCTUARY OF FAITH. I PROMISE THAT AS YOU DILIGENTLY WORK TO REMODEL YOUR HOME INTO A CENTER OF GOSPEL LEARNING, OVER TIME YOUR SABBATH DAYS WILL TRULY BE A DELIGHT. YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE EXCITED TO LEARN AND TO LIVE THE SAVIOR'S TEACHINGS. ... CHANGES IN YOUR FAMILY WILL BE DRAMATIC AND SUSTAINING." WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PROMISE. TO BE TRULY LIFE-CHANGING, CONVERSION TO JESUS CHRIST MUST INVOLVE OUR WHOLE SOUL AND PERMEATE EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES. THIS IS WHY IT MUST BE FOCUSED AT THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES: OUR FAMILIES AND HOMES. MY FINAL SUGGESTION IS TO REMEMBER THAT CONVERSION MUST COME FROM WITHIN. AS ILLUSTRATED IN THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS, WE CANNOT GIVE SOMEONE ELSE THE OIL OF OUR CONVERSION, AS MUCH AS WE MIGHT WANT TO. AS ELDER DAVID A. BEDNAR TAUGHT, "THIS PRECIOUS OIL IS ACQUIRED ONE DROP AT A TIME ... PATIENTLY AND PERSISTENTLY. NO SHORTCUT IS AVAILABLE; NO LAST-MINUTE FLURRY OF PREPARATION IS POSSIBLE." "COME, FOLLOW ME" IS BASED ON THAT TRUTH. I COMPARE IT TO THE ANGEL WHO HELPED NEPHI LEARN ABOUT JESUS CHRIST BY SAYING, "LOOK!" LIKE THAT ANGEL, "COME, FOLLOW ME" INVITES US TO LOOK IN THE SCRIPTURES AND THE WORDS OF THE MODERN-DAY PROPHETS IN ORDER TO FIND THE SAVIOR AND HEAR HIM. LIKE NEPHI, WE WILL BE PERSONALLY TUTORED BY THE SPIRIT WHILE READING AND PONDERING THE WORD OF GOD. "COME, FOLLOW ME" IS THE SPRINGBOARD THAT HELPS EACH OF US TO DIVE DEEPLY INTO THE LIVING WATERS OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST. A PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY IS SIMILAR IN MANY WAYS. CHILDREN INHERIT MANY THINGS FROM THEIR PARENTS, BUT A TESTIMONY IS NOT ONE OF THEM. WE CAN'T GIVE OUR CHILDREN A TESTIMONY ANY MORE THAN WE CAN MAKE A SEED GROW. BUT WE CAN PROVIDE A NOURISHING ENVIRONMENT WITH GOOD SOIL, FREE OF THORNS THAT WOULD "CHOKE THE WORD." WE CAN STRIVE TO CREATE THE IDEAL CONDITIONS SO THAT OUR CHILDREN-AND OTHERS WE LOVE--CAN FIND PLACE FOR THE SEED, "[HEAR] THE WORD, AND [UNDERSTAND] IT," AND DISCOVER FOR THEMSELVES "THAT THE SEED IS GOOD." SEVERAL YEARS AGO, MY SON JACK AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY THE OLD COURSE AT ST. ANDREWS IN SCOTLAND, WHERE THE GAME OF GOLF BEGAN. IT WAS SIMPLY AMAZING! UPON MY RETURN I TRIED TO CONVEY TO OTHERS THE MAGNITUDE OF THE EXPERIENCE. BUT I COULDN'T. PHOTOS, VIDEOS, AND MY BEST DESCRIPTIONS WERE TOTALLY INADEQUATE. I FINALLY REALIZED THE ONLY WAY FOR SOMEONE TO KNOW THE GRANDEUR OF ST. ANDREWS IS TO EXPERIENCE IT--TO SEE THE VAST FAIRWAYS, BREATHE THE AIR, FEEL THE WIND IN THEIR FACE, AND HIT A FEW ERRANT SHOTS INTO THE CAVERNOUS BUNKERS AND BURLY GORSE BUSHES, WHICH WE DID WITH GREAT EFFICIENCY! SO IT IS WITH THE WORD OF GOD. WE CAN TEACH IT, WE CAN PREACH IT, WE CAN EXPLAIN IT. WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT, WE CAN DESCRIBE IT, WE CAN EVEN TESTIFY OF IT. BUT UNTIL A PERSON FEELS THE SACRED WORD OF GOD DISTILL UPON HIS OR HER SOUL LIKE THE DEWS FROM HEAVEN THROUGH THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT, IT WILL BE LIKE LOOKING AT A POSTCARD OR SOMEONE ELSE'S VACATION PHOTOS. YOU HAVE TO GO THERE YOURSELF. CONVERSION IS A PERSONAL JOURNEY--A JOURNEY OF GATHERING. EVERYONE WHO TEACHES IN THE HOME AND AT CHURCH CAN OFFER TO OTHERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR OWN SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES. THROUGH THESE EXPERIENCES, THEY WILL COME TO "KNOW THE TRUTH OF ALL THINGS" FOR THEMSELVES. PRESIDENT NELSON TAUGHT, "IF YOU HAVE SINCERE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GOSPEL OR THE CHURCH, AS YOU CHOOSE TO LET GOD PREVAIL, YOU WILL BE LED TO FIND AND UNDERSTAND THE ABSOLUTE, ETERNAL TRUTHS THAT WILL GUIDE YOUR LIFE AND HELP YOU STAY FIRMLY ON THE COVENANT PATH." I INVITE LEADERS AND TEACHERS IN EVERY ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH TO COUNSEL TOGETHER WITH PARENTS AND YOUTH IN ORDER TO DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE TEACHING AT EVERY LEVEL-IN STAKES, IN WARDS, AND IN HOMES. THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED BY TEACHING THE DOCTRINE AND INVITING SPIRIT-FILLED DISCUSSION ABOUT THE TRUTHS THE HOLY GHOST HAS TAUGHT US IN THE QUIET MOMENTS OF OUR PERSONAL STUDY. MY DEAR FRIENDS IN CHRIST, THE RESPONSIBILITY RESTS SQUARELY UPON EACH OF US TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF THE MASTER TEACHER AND TEACH LIKE HIM. HIS WAY IS THE TRUE WAY! AS WE FOLLOW HIM, "WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM, FOR WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS; THAT WE MAY HAVE THIS HOPE; THAT WE MAY BE PURIFIED EVEN AS HE IS PURE." IN THE NAME OF HE WHO IS RISEN, THE MASTER TEACHER HIMSELF, JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> PRESIDENT OAKS: THANK YOU, BROTHER AND SISTER. WE HAVE BEEN WELL TAUGHT. WE INVITE YOU, WHEREVER YOU ARE, TO TO JOIN THE CHOIR IN SINGING “HIGH ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP.” FOLLOWING THE SINGING, WE WILL HEAR FROM ELDERS GARY E. STEVENSON AND GERRIT W. GONG OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES. ♪♪ >> LLOYD NEWELL: THIS IS THE SATURDAY MORNING SESSION OF THE 191ST ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. ♪♪ ♪ HIGH ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP
A BANNER IS UNFURLED. ♪ ♪ YE NATIONS, NOW LOOK UP;
IT WAVES TO ALL THE WORLD. ♪ ♪ IN DESERET'S
SWEET, PEACEFUL LAND, ♪ ♪ ON ZION'S MOUNT
BEHOLD IT STAND! ♪ ♪ FOR GOD REMEMBERS STILL
HIS PROMISE MADE OF OLD ♪ ♪ THAT HE ON ZION'S HILL
TRUTH'S STANDARD WOULD UNFOLD! ♪ ♪ HER LIGHT SHOULD THERE
ATTRACT THE GAZE ♪ ♪ OF ALL THE WORLD
IN LATTER DAYS. ♪ ♪ HIS HOUSE SHALL
THERE BE REARED, ♪ ♪ HIS GLORY
TO DISPLAY, ♪ ♪ AND PEOPLE SHALL BE HEARD
IN DISTANT LANDS TO SAY: ♪ ♪ WE'LL NOW GO UP
AND SERVE THE LORD, ♪ ♪ OBEY HIS TRUTH,
AND LEARN HIS WORD. ♪ ♪ FOR THERE WE SHALL BE TAUGHT
THE LAW THAT WILL GO FORTH, ♪ ♪ WITH TRUTH AND WISDOM FRAUGHT,
TO GOVERN ALL THE EARTH. ♪ ♪ FOREVER THERE
HIS WAYS WE'LL TREAD, ♪ ♪ AND SAVE OURSELVES
WITH ALL OUR DEAD. ♪♪ >> ELDER GARY E. STEVENSON: ISN'T IT FASCINATING HOW SIGNIFICANT SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES SOMETIMES ARE INSPIRED BY EVENTS AS SIMPLE AS AN APPLE FALLING FROM A TREE? TODAY, LET ME SHARE A DISCOVERY THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF A SAMPLE GROUP OF RABBITS. IN THE 1970S, RESEARCHERS SET UP AN EXPERIMENT TO EXAMINE THE EFFECTS OF DIET ON HEART HEALTH. OVER SEVERAL MONTHS, THEY FED A CONTROL GROUP OF RABBITS A HIGH-FAT DIET AND MONITORED THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE, HEART RATE, AND CHOLESTEROL. AS EXPECTED, MANY OF THE RABBITS SHOWED A BUILDUP ON THE INSIDE OF THEIR ARTERIES. YET THIS WAS NOT ALL! RESEARCHERS HAD DISCOVERED SOMETHING THAT MADE LITTLE SENSE. ALTHOUGH ALL OF THE RABBITS HAD A BUILDUP, ONE GROUP SURPRISINGLY HAD AS MUCH AS 60 PERCENT LESS THAN THE OTHERS. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THEY WERE LOOKING AT TWO DIFFERENT GROUPS OF RABBITS. TO SCIENTISTS, RESULTS LIKE THIS CAN CAUSE LOST SLEEP. HOW COULD THIS BE? THE RABBITS WERE ALL THE SAME BREED FROM NEW ZEALAND, FROM A VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL GENE POOL. THEY EACH RECEIVED EQUAL AMOUNTS OF THE SAME FOOD. WHAT COULD THIS MEAN? DID THE RESULTS INVALIDATE THE STUDY? WERE THERE FLAWS IN THE EXPERIMENT DESIGN? THE SCIENTISTS STRUGGLED TO UNDERSTAND THIS UNEXPECTED OUTCOME! EVENTUALLY THEY TURNED THEIR ATTENTION TO THE RESEARCH STAFF. WAS IT POSSIBLE THAT RESEARCHERS HAD DONE SOMETHING TO INFLUENCE THE RESULTS? AS THEY PURSUED THIS, THEY DISCOVERED THAT EVERY RABBIT WITH FEWER FATTY DEPOSITS HAD BEEN UNDER THE CARE OF ONE RESEARCHER. SHE FED HER RABBITS THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE. BUT, AS ONE SCIENTIST REPORTED, "SHE WAS AN UNUSUALLY KIND AND CARING INDIVIDUAL." WHEN SHE FED THE RABBITS, "SHE TALKED TO THEM, CUDDLED, AND PETTED THEM. ... SHE COULDN'T HELP IT. IT'S JUST HOW SHE WAS." SHE DID MORE THAN SIMPLY GIVE THE RABBITS FOOD. SHE GAVE THEM LOVE. AT FIRST GLANCE, IT SEEMED UNLIKELY THAT THIS COULD BE THE REASON FOR THE DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE, BUT THE RESEARCH TEAM COULD SEE NO OTHER POSSIBILITY. SO THEY REPEATED THE EXPERIMENT--THIS TIME TIGHTLY CONTROLLING FOR EVERY OTHER VARIABLE. WHEN THEY ANALYZED THE RESULTS, THE SAME THING HAPPENED! THE RABBITS UNDER THE CARE OF THE LOVING RESEARCHER HAD SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER HEALTH OUTCOMES. THE SCIENTISTS PUBLISHED THE RESULTS OF THIS STUDY IN THE PRESTIGIOUS JOURNAL "SCIENCE." YEARS LATER, THE FINDINGS OF THIS EXPERIMENT STILL SEEM INFLUENTIAL IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY. IN RECENT YEARS, DR. KELLI HARDING PUBLISHED A BOOK TITLED "THE RABBIT EFFECT" THAT TAKES ITS NAME FROM THE EXPERIMENT. HER CONCLUSION: "TAKE A RABBIT WITH AN UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE. TALK TO IT. HOLD IT. GIVE IT AFFECTION. THE RELATIONSHIP MADE A DIFFERENCE. ... "ULTIMATELY," SHE CONCLUDES, "WHAT AFFECTS OUR HEALTH IN THE MOST MEANINGFUL WAYS HAS AS MUCH TO DO WITH HOW WE TREAT ONE ANOTHER, HOW WE LIVE, AND HOW WE THINK ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN." IN A SECULAR WORLD, BRIDGES CONNECTING SCIENCE WITH GOSPEL TRUTHS SOMETIMES SEEM FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. YET AS CHRISTIANS--FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST, LATTER-DAY SAINTS--THE RESULTS OF THIS SCIENTIFIC STUDY MAY SEEM MORE INTUITIVE THAN ASTONISHING. FOR ME, IT LAYS ANOTHER BRICK IN THE FOUNDATION OF KINDNESS AS A FUNDAMENTAL, HEALING GOSPEL PRINCIPLE--ONE THAT CAN HEAL HEARTS EMOTIONALLY, SPIRITUALLY, AND, AS DEMONSTRATED HERE, EVEN PHYSICALLY. WHEN ASKED, "MASTER, WHICH IS THE GREAT COMMANDMENT?" THE SAVIOR REPLIED, "[TO] LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART," FOLLOWED BY "THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF." THE SAVIOR'S RESPONSE REINFORCES OUR HEAVENLY DUTY. ANCIENT PROPHETS COMMANDED THAT "THERE SHOULD BE NO CONTENTION ONE WITH ANOTHER, BUT THAT [WE] SHOULD LOOK FORWARD ... HAVING [OUR] HEARTS KNIT TOGETHER IN UNITY AND IN LOVE ONE TOWARDS ANOTHER." WE ARE FURTHER TAUGHT THAT "POWER OR INFLUENCE... OUGHT TO BE MAINTAINED ... BY GENTLENESS AND MEEKNESS, ... BY KINDNESS, ... WITHOUT GUILE." I BELIEVE THIS PRECEPT HAS A UNIVERSAL APPLICATION TO ALL LATTER-DAY SAINTS: ADULTS, YOUTH, AND CHILDREN. WITH THAT IN MIND, LET ME SPEAK DIRECTLY TO YOU WHO ARE PRIMARY-AGE CHILDREN FOR A MOMENT. YOU ALREADY UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE KIND. THE CHORUS OF ONE OF YOUR PRIMARY SONGS, "I'M TRYING TO BE LIKE JESUS," TEACHES: "LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS JESUS LOVES YOU. TRY TO SHOW KINDNESS IN ALL THAT YOU DO. BE GENTLE AND LOVING IN DEED AND IN THOUGHT, FOR THESE ARE THE THINGS JESUS TAUGHT." EVEN STILL, YOU MAY SOMETIMES HAVE A HARD TIME. HERE IS A STORY THAT MIGHT HELP YOU ABOUT A PRIMARY BOY NAMED MINCHAN KIM FROM SOUTH KOREA. HIS FAMILY JOINED THE CHURCH ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO. "ONE DAY AT SCHOOL, A FEW OF MY CLASSMATES WERE MAKING FUN OF ANOTHER STUDENT BY CALLING HIM NAMES. IT LOOKED LIKE FUN, SO FOR A FEW WEEKS I JOINED IN WITH THEM. "SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE BOY TOLD ME EVEN THOUGH HE PRETENDED HE DIDN'T CARE, HE WAS HURT BY OUR WORDS, AND HE CRIED EVERY NIGHT. I ALMOST CRIED WHEN HE TOLD ME. I FELT VERY SORRY AND WANTED TO HELP HIM. "THE NEXT DAY, I WENT UP TO HIM AND PUT MY ARM AROUND HIS SHOULDER AND APOLOGIZED, SAYING, 'I'M REALLY SORRY THAT I MADE FUN OF YOU.' HE NODDED AT MY WORDS, AND HIS EYES FILLED UP WITH TEARS. BUT THE OTHER KIDS WERE STILL MAKING FUN OF HIM. THEN I REMEMBERED WHAT I LEARNED IN PRIMARY CLASS: CHOOSE THE RIGHT. "SO I ASKED MY CLASSMATES TO STOP. MOST OF THEM DECIDED NOT TO CHANGE, AND THEY WERE MAD AT ME. BUT ONE OF THE OTHER BOYS SAID HE WAS SORRY, AND THE THREE OF US BECAME GOOD FRIENDS. EVEN THOUGH A FEW PEOPLE STILL MADE FUN OF HIM, HE FELT BETTER BECAUSE HE HAD US. I CHOSE THE RIGHT BY HELPING A FRIEND IN NEED." THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR YOU TO TRY TO BECOME LIKE JESUS. NOW, FOR YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN, AS YOU GROW OLDER, MAKING FUN OF OTHERS CAN EVOLVE VERY DANGEROUSLY. ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND WORSE ARE OFTEN THE COMPANION OF BULLYING. "WHILE BULLYING IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT, SOCIAL MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY HAVE BROUGHT BULLYING TO A NEW LEVEL. IT BECOMES A MORE CONSTANT, EVER-PRESENT THREAT-- CYBER BULLYING." CLEARLY, THE ADVERSARY IS USING THIS TO HURT YOUR GENERATION. THERE IS NO PLACE FOR THIS IN YOUR CYBERSPACE, NEIGHBORHOODS, SCHOOLS, QUORUMS, OR CLASSES. PLEASE DO ALL YOU CAN TO MAKE THESE PLACES KINDER AND SAFER. IF YOU PASSIVELY OBSERVE OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THIS, I KNOW OF NO BETTER ADVICE THAN THAT PREVIOUSLY GIVEN BY ELDER DIETER F. UCHTDORF: "WHEN IT COMES TO HATING, GOSSIPING, IGNORING, RIDICULING, HOLDING GRUDGES, OR WANTING TO CAUSE HARM, PLEASE APPLY THE FOLLOWING: STOP IT!" DID YOU HEAR THAT? STOP IT! AS YOU EXTEND YOURSELF WITH KINDNESS, CARE, AND COMPASSION, EVEN DIGITALLY, I PROMISE THAT YOU WILL LIFT UP ARMS THAT HANG DOWN AND WILL HEAL HEARTS. HAVING SPOKEN TO PRIMARY CHILDREN AND YOUTH, I NOW DIRECT MY REMARKS TO ADULTS OF THE CHURCH. WE HAVE A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY TO SET A TONE AND BE ROLE MODELS OF KINDNESS, INCLUSION, AND CIVILITY--TO TEACH CHRISTLIKE BEHAVIOR TO THE RISING GENERATION IN WHAT WE SAY AND HOW WE ACT. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT AS WE OBSERVE A MARKED SOCIETAL SHIFT TOWARD DIVISION IN POLITICS, SOCIAL CLASS, AND NEARLY EVERY OTHER MAN-MADE DISTINCTION. PRESIDENT M. RUSSELL BALLARD HAS ALSO TAUGHT THAT LATTER-DAY SAINTS MUST NOT ONLY BE KIND TO EACH OTHER BUT ALSO TO EVERYONE AROUND US. HE OBSERVED: "OCCASIONALLY I HEAR OF MEMBERS OFFENDING THOSE OF OTHER FAITHS BY OVERLOOKING THEM AND LEAVING THEM OUT. THIS CAN OCCUR ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES WHERE OUR MEMBERS ARE THE MAJORITY. I HAVE HEARD ABOUT NARROW-MINDED PARENTS WHO TELL CHILDREN THAT THEY CANNOT PLAY WITH A PARTICULAR CHILD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SIMPLY BECAUSE HIS OR HER FAMILY DOES NOT BELONG TO OUR CHURCH. THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR IS NOT IN KEEPING WITH THE TEACHINGS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. I CANNOT COMPREHEND WHY ANY MEMBER OF OUR CHURCH WOULD ALLOW THESE KINDS OF THINGS TO HAPPEN. ... I HAVE NEVER HEARD THE MEMBERS OF THIS CHURCH URGED TO BE ANYTHING BUT LOVING, KIND, TOLERANT, AND BENEVOLENT TO OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS OF OTHER FAITHS." THE LORD EXPECTS US TO TEACH THAT INCLUSION IS A POSITIVE MEANS TOWARD UNITY AND THAT EXCLUSION LEADS TO DIVISION. AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE DISMAYED WHEN WE HEAR OF HOW CHILDREN OF GOD ARE MISTREATED BASED ON THEIR RACE. WE HAVE BEEN HEARTBROKEN TO HEAR OF RECENT ATTACKS ON PEOPLE WHO ARE BLACK, ASIAN, LATINO, OR OF ANY OTHER GROUP. PREJUDICE, RACIAL TENSION, OR VIOLENCE SHOULD NEVER HAVE ANY PLACE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, COMMUNITIES, OR WITHIN THE CHURCH. LET EACH OF US, NO MATTER OUR AGE, STRIVE TO BE OUR BEST. AS YOU STRIVE TO EXTEND YOURSELF IN LOVE, RESPECT, AND KINDNESS, YOU WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE HURT OR NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY THE BAD CHOICES OF OTHERS. WHAT DO WE DO THEN? WE FOLLOW THE LORD'S ADMONITION TO "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES ... AND PRAY FOR THEM WHICH DESPITEFULLY USE YOU." WE THEN DO ALL WE CAN TO OVERCOME THE ADVERSITY THAT IS PLACED IN OUR PATH. WE STRIVE TO ENDURE TO THE END, ALL THE TIME PRAYING THAT THE HAND OF THE LORD WILL CHANGE OUR CIRCUMSTANCES. WE OFFER THANKSGIVING FOR THOSE HE PLACES IN OUR PATH TO ASSIST US. I AM MOVED BY AN EXAMPLE OF THIS FROM OUR EARLY CHURCH HISTORY. DURING THE WINTER OF 1838, JOSEPH SMITH AND OTHER CHURCH LEADERS WERE DETAINED IN LIBERTY JAIL WHEN THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS WERE FORCIBLY DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI. THE SAINTS WERE DESTITUTE, FRIENDLESS, AND SUFFERING GREATLY FROM THE COLD AND LACK OF RESOURCES. THE RESIDENTS OF QUINCY, ILLINOIS, SAW THEIR DESPERATE PLIGHT AND REACHED OUT IN COMPASSION AND FRIENDSHIP. WANDLE MACE, A RESIDENT OF QUINCY, LATER RECALLED WHEN HE FIRST SAW THE SAINTS ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN MAKESHIFT TENTS: "SOME HAD SHEETS STRETCHED TO MAKE A LITTLE SHELTER FROM THE WIND, ... THE CHILDREN WERE SHIVERING AROUND A FIRE WHICH THE WIND BLEW ABOUT SO IT DONE THEM VERY LITTLE GOOD. THE POOR SAINTS WERE SUFFERING TERRIBLY." SEEING THE PLIGHT OF THE SAINTS, QUINCY RESIDENTS RALLIED TOGETHER TO PROVIDE AID, SOME EVEN ASSISTING IN TRANSPORTING THEIR NEW FRIENDS ACROSS THE RIVER. MACE CONTINUED: "[THEY] DONATED LIBERALLY, THE MERCHANTS VYING WITH EACH OTHER AS TO WHICH COULD BE THE MOST LIBERAL... WITH ... PORK, ... SUGAR, ... SHOES AND CLOTHING, EVERYTHING THESE POOR OUTCASTS SO MUCH NEEDED." BEFORE LONG, THE REFUGEES OUTNUMBERED THE QUINCY RESIDENTS WHO OPENED THEIR HOMES AND SHARED THEIR MEAGER RESOURCES AT GREAT PERSONAL SACRIFICE. MANY SAINTS SURVIVED THE HARSH WINTER ONLY BECAUSE OF THE COMPASSION AND GENEROSITY OF THE RESIDENTS OF QUINCY. THESE EARTHLY ANGELS OPENED THEIR HEARTS AND HOMES, BRINGING LIFESAVING NOURISHMENT, WARMTH, AND--PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY-- A HAND OF FRIENDSHIP TO THE SUFFERING SAINTS. ALTHOUGH THEIR STAY IN QUINCY WAS RELATIVELY SHORT, THE SAINTS NEVER FORGOT THEIR DEBT OF GRATITUDE TOWARD THEIR BELOVED NEIGHBORS, AND QUINCY BECAME KNOWN AS "THE CITY OF REFUGE." WHEN ADVERSITY AND AFFLICTION IS BROUGHT UPON US BY CRITICAL, NEGATIVE, EVEN MEAN-SPIRITED ACTS, WE CAN CHOOSE TO HOPE IN CHRIST. THIS HOPE COMES FROM HIS INVITATION AND PROMISE TO "BE OF GOOD CHEER, FOR I WILL LEAD YOU ALONG" AND THAT HE WILL "CONSECRATE [YOUR] AFFLICTIONS FOR [YOUR] GAIN." LET US CONCLUDE WHERE WE BEGAN: A COMPASSIONATE CAREGIVER, EXTENDING HERSELF IN KINDNESS WITH A NURTURING SPIRIT, AND AN UNEXPECTED OUTCOME-HEALING THE HEARTS OF ANIMALS OVER WHOM SHE HAD STEWARDSHIP. WHY? BECAUSE IT WAS JUST HOW SHE WAS! AS WE LOOK THROUGH A GOSPEL LENS, WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE TOO ARE UNDER THE CARE OF A COMPASSIONATE CAREGIVER, WHO EXTENDS HIMSELF IN KINDNESS AND A NURTURING SPIRIT. THE GOOD SHEPHERD KNOWS EACH ONE OF US BY NAME AND "HAS A PERSONAL INTEREST IN US." THE LORD JESUS CHRIST SAID, "I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD, AND KNOW MY SHEEP, ... AND I [WILL] LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR THE SHEEP." ON THIS HOLY EASTER WEEKEND, I FIND ABIDING PEACE IN KNOWING THAT "THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD" AND THAT EACH OF US IS KNOWN BY HIM AND UNDER HIS KIND WATCHCARE. WHEN WE CONFRONT LIFE'S WIND AND RAINSTORMS, SICKNESS AND INJURIES, THE LORD-- OUR SHEPHERD, OUR CAREGIVER-- WILL NOURISH US WITH LOVE AND KINDNESS. HE WILL HEAL OUR HEARTS AND RESTORE OUR SOULS. OF THIS I TESTIFY--AND OF JESUS CHRIST AS OUR SAVIOR AND OUR REDEEMER--IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> ELDER GERRIT W. GONG DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, ALTHOUGH HE PASSED AWAY TWENTY YEARS AGO, THERE ARE TIMES I MISS MY FATHER. EASTER PROMISES I WILL SEE HIM AGAIN. WHEN I WAS IN GRADUATE SCHOOL IN ENGLAND, MY FATHER CAME TO VISIT. HIS FATHER'S HEART KNEW I MISSED HOME. MY FATHER LOVED ADVENTURE EXCEPT IN FOOD. EVEN IN FRANCE, NOTED FOR ITS CUISINE, HE WOULD SAY, "LET'S EAT CHINESE FOOD." A LONG-SERVING PATRIARCH IN THE CHURCH, MY FATHER WAS SPIRITUAL AND COMPASSIONATE. ONE NIGHT AS EMERGENCY VEHICLES WITH LOUD SIRENS RACED THROUGH PARIS, HE SAID, "GERRIT, THOSE CRIES ARE THE WOUNDS OF A CITY." ON THAT TRIP, I FELT OTHER CRIES AND WOUNDS. A YOUNG WOMAN WAS SELLING ICE CREAM FROM A SMALL PUSHCART. HER WAFER CONES WERE JUST THE SIZE FOR A SINGLE SCOOP OF ICE CREAM. FOR SOME REASON, A LARGE MAN CONFRONTED THE YOUNG WOMAN. YELLING AND PUSHING, HE TIPPED OVER HER CART, SPILLING HER ICE CREAM CONES. THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO AS HE CRUSHED THE CONES WITH HIS BOOTS. I CAN STILL SEE THE YOUNG WOMAN ON HER KNEES IN THE STREET TRYING TO SAVE BROKEN WAFER PIECES, TEARS OF ANGUISH STREAMING DOWN HER FACE. HER IMAGE HAUNTS ME--A REMINDER OF THE UNKINDNESS, UNCARING, MISUNDERSTANDING WE TOO OFTEN INFLICT ON EACH OTHER. ON ANOTHER AFTERNOON, NEAR PARIS, MY FATHER AND I VISITED THE GREAT CATHEDRAL AT CHARTRES. MALCOLM MILLER, A WORLD EXPERT ON THE CATHEDRAL, POINTED OUT THREE SETS OF CHARTRES STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS. HE SAID THEY TELL A STORY. THE FIRST WINDOWS SHOW ADAM AND EVE LEAVING THE GARDEN OF EDEN. THE SECOND RECOUNT THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN. THE THIRD DEPICT THE LORD'S SECOND COMING. TAKEN TOGETHER, THESE STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS CAN DESCRIBE OUR ETERNAL JOURNEY. THEY INVITE US TO WELCOME ALL WITH ROOM IN HIS INN. LIKE ADAM AND EVE, WE COME INTO A WORLD OF THORNS AND THISTLES. ON OUR DUSTY ROADS TO JERICHO, WE ARE BESET UPON, WOUNDED, AND LEFT IN PAIN. THOUGH WE SHOULD HELP EACH OTHER, TOO OFTEN WE PASS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR WHATEVER REASON. HOWEVER, WITH COMPASSION, THE GOOD SAMARITAN STOPS AND BINDS OUR WOUNDS WITH WINE AND OIL. SYMBOLS OF THE SACRAMENT AND OTHER ORDINANCES, THE WINE AND OIL POINT US TO SPIRITUAL HEALING IN JESUS CHRIST. THE GOOD SAMARITAN PUTS US ON HIS OWN DONKEY, OR IN SOME STAINED-GLASS ACCOUNTS, CARRIES US ON HIS SHOULDERS. HE BRINGS US TO THE INN, WHICH CAN REPRESENT HIS CHURCH, AT THE INN, THE GOOD SAMARITAN SAYS, "TAKE CARE OF HIM; ... WHEN I COME AGAIN, I WILL REPAY THEE." THE GOOD SAMARITAN, A SYMBOL OF OUR SAVIOR, PROMISES TO RETURN, THIS TIME IN MAJESTY AND GLORY. IN THIS EASTER SEASON, JESUS CHRIST INVITES US TO BECOME, LIKE HIM, A GOOD SAMARITAN, TO MAKE HIS INN (HIS CHURCH) A REFUGE FOR ALL FROM LIFE'S BRUISES AND STORMS. WE PREPARE FOR HIS PROMISED SECOND COMING AS EACH DAY WE DO UNTO THE "LEAST OF THESE" AS WE WOULD UNTO HIM. THE "LEAST OF THESE" IS EACH OF US. AS WE COME WITH THE GOOD SAMARITAN TO THE INN, WE LEARN FIVE THINGS ABOUT JESUS CHRIST AND OURSELVES. FIRST, WE COME TO THE INN AS WE ARE, WITH THE FOIBLES AND IMPERFECTIONS WE EACH HAVE. YET, WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING NEEDED TO CONTRIBUTE. OUR JOURNEY TO GOD IS OFTEN FOUND TOGETHER. WE BELONG AS UNITED COMMUNITY-- WHETHER CONFRONTING PANDEMICS, STORMS, WILDFIRES, DROUGHTS, OR QUIETLY MEETING DAILY NEEDS. WE RECEIVE INSPIRATION AS WE COUNSEL TOGETHER, LISTENING TO EACH PERSON--INCLUDING EACH SISTER--AND TO THE SPIRIT. AS OUR HEARTS CHANGE AND WE RECEIVE HIS IMAGE IN OUR COUNTENANCE, WE SEE HIM AND OURSELVES IN HIS CHURCH. IN HIM, WE FIND CLARITY, NOT DISSONANCE. IN HIM, WE FIND CAUSE TO DO GOOD, REASON TO BE GOOD, AND INCREASING CAPACITY TO BECOME BETTER. IN HIM, WE DISCOVER ABIDING FAITH, LIBERATING SELFLESSNESS, CARING CHANGE, AND TRUST IN GOD. IN HIS INN, WE FIND AND DEEPEN OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD OUR FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST. HE TRUSTS US TO HELP MAKE THE INN THE PLACE HE NEEDS IT TO BE. AS WE OFFER OUR TALENTS AND BEST EFFORTS, HIS SPIRITUAL GIFTS ALSO STRENGTHEN AND BLESS. A SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETER TOLD ME, "ELDER GONG, I KNEW BY THE SPIRIT WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO SAY SO I COULD TRANSLATE," THIS FAITHFUL BROTHER SAID, "BY THE GIFT OF TONGUES." GIFTS OF FAITH AND ASSURANCE COME, MANIFEST DIFFERENTLY IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. ONE DEAR SISTER RECEIVED SPIRITUAL COMFORT AS HER HUSBAND PASSED AWAY FROM COVID-19. SHE SAID, "I KNOW MY DEAR HUSBAND AND I WILL BE TOGETHER AGAIN." IN A DIFFERENT COVID SITUATION, ANOTHER DEAR SISTER SAID, "I FELT I SHOULD PLEAD WITH THE LORD AND THE DOCTORS TO GIVE MY HUSBAND JUST A LITTLE MORE TIME." SECOND, HE ENTREATS US TO MAKE HIS INN A PLACE OF GRACE AND SPACE WHERE EACH CAN GATHER WITH ROOM FOR ALL. AS DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST, ALL ARE EQUAL--WITH NO SECOND-CLASS GROUPS. ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND SACRAMENT MEETINGS, OTHER SUNDAY MEETINGS, AND SOCIAL EVENTS. WE REVERENTLY WORSHIP OUR SAVIOR, THOUGHTFUL AND CONSIDERATE OF EACH OTHER. WE SEE AND ACKNOWLEDGE EACH PERSON. WE SMILE, SIT WITH THOSE SITTING ALONE, LEARN NAMES--INCLUDING OF NEW CONVERTS, RETURNING BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YOUNG WOMEN AND YOUNG MEN, EACH DEAR PRIMARY CHILD. IMAGINING OURSELVES IN THEIR PLACE, WE WELCOME FRIENDS, VISITORS, NEW MOVE-INS, BUSY INDIVIDUALS PULLED IN TOO MANY DIRECTIONS. WE MOURN, REJOICE, AND ARE THERE FOR EACH OTHER. WHEN WE FALL SHORT OF OUR IDEALS AND ARE RUSHED, UNAWARE, JUDGMENTAL, OR PREJUDICED, WE SEEK EACH OTHER'S FORGIVENESS AND DO BETTER. A FAMILY FROM AFRICA NOW LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES SAID, "FROM THE FIRST DAY, CHURCH MEMBERS WERE FRIENDLY AND WELCOMING. EVERYONE MADE US FEEL AT HOME. NO ONE LOOKED DOWN ON US." THE FATHER SAID, "THE HOLY BIBLE TEACHES GOSPEL FRUITS COME FROM GOSPEL ROOTS." "AND THE MISSIONARIES!" THE FATHER AND MOTHER SAID. "WE WANT OUR SON AND DAUGHTER TO GROW UP LIKE THOSE MISSIONARIES." BROTHERS AND SISTERS, MAY WE EACH WARMLY WELCOME ALL TO HIS INN. THIRD, IN HIS INN, WE LEARN PERFECTION IS IN JESUS CHRIST, NOT IN THE PERFECTIONISM OF THE WORLD. UNREAL AND UNREALISTIC, THE WORLD'S "INSTA-PERFECT" FILTERED PERFECTIONISM CAN MAKE US FEEL INADEQUATE, CAPTIVE TO SWIPES, LIKES, OR DOUBLE TAPS. IN CONTRAST, OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT US WE DON'T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO KNOW, AND HE STILL LOVES US. HIS IS A GOSPEL OF SECOND AND THIRD CHANCES, MADE POSSIBLE BY HIS ATONING SACRIFICE. HE INVITES US EACH TO BE A GOOD SAMARITAN, LESS JUDGMENTAL AND MORE FORGIVING OF OURSELVES AND OF EACH OTHER, EVEN AS WE STRIVE MORE FULLY TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. WE HELP OURSELVES AS WE HELP EACH OTHER. A FAMILY I KNOW LIVED NEAR A BUSY ROAD. TRAVELERS OFTEN STOPPED TO ASK FOR HELP. EARLY ONE MORNING THE FAMILY HEARD LOUD POUNDING ON THEIR DOOR. TIRED AND WORRIED WHO IT COULD BE AT 2:00 A.M., THEY WONDERED IF, JUST THIS ONCE, SOMEONE ELSE COULD HELP. AS THE INSISTENT KNOCKING CONTINUED, THEY HEARD, "FIRE--THERE'S A FIRE IN THE BACK OF YOUR HOUSE." GOOD SAMARITANS HELP EACH OTHER. FOURTH, AT HIS INN, WE BECOME PART OF A GOSPEL COMMUNITY CENTERED IN JESUS CHRIST, ANCHORED IN RESTORED TRUTH, LIVING PROPHETS AND APOSTLES, AND ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST--THE BOOK OF MORMON. HE BRINGS US TO HIS INN AND ALSO TO HIS HOUSE--THE HOLY TEMPLE. THE HOUSE OF THE LORD IS A PLACE WHERE, AS WITH THE WOUNDED MAN ON THE ROAD TO JERICHO, THE GOOD SAMARITAN CAN CLEANSE AND CLOTHE US, PREPARE US TO RETURN TO GOD'S PRESENCE, AND UNITE US ETERNALLY IN GOD'S FAMILY. HIS TEMPLES ARE OPEN TO ALL WHO LIVE HIS GOSPEL WITH FAITH AND OBEDIENCE. TEMPLE REJOICING INCLUDES GOSPEL UNITY AMIDST DIVERSE HERITAGES, CULTURES, LANGUAGES, AND GENERATIONS. AT THE GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE TAYLORSVILLE UTAH TEMPLE, 17-YEAR-OLD MAX HARKER SHARED A LEGACY OF FAMILY FAITH BEGUN SIX GENERATIONS EARLIER BY HIS GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GRANDFATHER JOSEPH HARKER AND HIS WIFE, SUSANNAH SNEATH. IN THE RESTORED GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, WE CAN EACH BECOME A STRONG LINK IN OUR FAMILY GENERATIONS. FINALLY, FIFTH, WE REJOICE THAT GOD LOVES HIS CHILDREN IN OUR DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES, IN EVERY NATION, KINDRED, AND TONGUE, WITH ROOM FOR ALL IN HIS INN. OVER THE PAST 40 YEARS, CHURCH MEMBERS HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY INTERNATIONAL. SINCE 1998, MORE CHURCH MEMBERS HAVE LIVED OUTSIDE THAN INSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. BY 2025, WE ANTICIPATE AS MANY CHURCH MEMBERS MAY LIVE IN LATIN AMERICA AS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. THE GATHERING OF FATHER LEHI'S FAITHFUL DESCENDANTS IS FULFILLING PROPHECY. FAITHFUL SAINTS, INCLUDING IN THE PIONEER CORRIDOR, REMAIN A RESERVOIR OF DEVOTION AND SERVICE FOR THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH. ALSO, THE MAJORITY OF ADULT CHURCH MEMBERS ARE NOW UNMARRIED, WIDOWED, OR DIVORCED. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE. IT INCLUDES MORE THAN HALF OUR RELIEF SOCIETY SISTERS AND MORE THAN HALF OUR ADULT PRIESTHOOD BROTHERS. THIS DEMOGRAPHIC PATTERN HAS BEEN THE CASE IN THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH SINCE 1992 AND IN THE CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA SINCE 2019. OUR STANDING BEFORE THE LORD AND IN HIS CHURCH IS NOT A MATTER OF OUR MARITAL STATUS BUT OF OUR BECOMING FAITHFUL AND VALIANT DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST. ADULTS WANT TO BE SEEN AS ADULTS AND TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND CONTRIBUTE AS ADULTS. DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST COME FROM EVERYWHERE, IN EVERY SHAPE, SIZE, HUE, AGE--EACH WITH TALENTS, RIGHTEOUS DESIRES, TALENTS, AND IMMENSE CAPACITIES TO BLESS AND SERVE. WE SEEK DAILY TO FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST WITH FAITH UNTO REPENTANCE AND ENDURING JOY. DURING THIS LIFE, WE SOMETIMES WAIT UPON THE LORD. WE MAY NOT YET BE WHERE WE HOPE AND WISH TO BE IN THE FUTURE. A DEVOUT SISTER SAYS, "WAITING FAITHFULLY UPON THE LORD FOR HIS BLESSINGS IS A HOLY POSITION. IT MUST NOT BE MET WITH PITY, PATRONIZING, OR JUDGMENT BUT INSTEAD WITH SACRED HONOR." IN THE MEANTIME, WE LIVE NOW, NOT WAITING FOR LIFE TO BEGIN. ISAIAH PROMISES: "THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES; THEY SHALL RUN, AND NOT BE WEARY; AND THEY SHALL WALK, AND NOT FAINT." OUR GOOD SAMARITAN PROMISES TO RETURN. MIRACLES OCCUR WHEN WE CARE FOR EACH OTHER AS HE WOULD. WHEN WE COME WITH BROKEN HEARTS AND CONTRITE SPIRITS, WE CAN FIND VOICE IN JESUS CHRIST, ENCIRCLED IN HIS UNDERSTANDING ARMS OF SAFETY. SACRED ORDINANCES OFFER COVENANT BELONGING AND THE POWER OF GODLINESS TO SANCTIFY INNER INTENT AND OUTWARD ACTION. AS WE CREATE ROOM IN HIS INN, WELCOMING ALL, OUR GOOD SAMARITAN CAN HEAL US ON OUR DUSTY MORTAL ROADS. WITH PERFECT LOVE, OUR FATHER AND HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, DESIRE TO SAVE AND EXALT US. THEY PROMISE "PEACE IN THIS WORLD, AND ETERNAL LIFE IN THE WORLD TO COME." I SO GRATEFULLY WITNESS AND TESTIFY IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> PRESIDENT OAKS: WE EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO THE TABERNACLE CHOIR AT TEMPLE SQUARE FOR THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC THEY HAVE PROVIDED THIS MORNING. THE CHOIR WILL NOW FAVOR US WITH “TEACH ME TO WALK IN THE LIGHT.” OUR CONCLUDING SPEAKER FOR THIS SESSION WILL BE PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING, SECOND COUNSELOR IN THE FIRST PRESIDENCY. FOLLOWING HIS REMARKS, THE CHOIR WILL CLOSE THIS MEETING BY SINGING “THE SPIRIT OF GOD.” THE BENEDICTION WILL THEN BE OFFERED BY ELDER JAMES B. MARTINO OF THE SEVENTY. ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ TEACH ME TO WALK
IN THE LIGHT OF HIS LOVE; ♪ ♪ TEACH ME TO PRAY
TO MY FATHER ABOVE; ♪ ♪ TEACH ME TO KNOW
OF THE THINGS THAT ARE RIGHT; ♪ ♪ TEACH ME, TEACH ME
TO WALK IN THE LIGHT. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ COME, LITTLE CHILD,
AND TOGETHER WE'LL LEARN ♪ ♪ OF HIS COMMANDMENTS,
THAT WE MAY RETURN ♪ ♪ HOME TO HIS PRESENCE,
TO LIVE IN HIS SIGHT ♪ ♪ ALWAYS, ALWAYS
TO WALK IN THE LIGHT. ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ FATHER IN HEAVEN,
WE THANK THEE THIS DAY ♪ ♪ FOR LOVING GUIDANCE
TO SHOW US THE WAY. ♪ ♪ GRATEFUL, WE PRAISE THEE
WITH SONGS OF DELIGHT! ♪ ♪ GLADLY, GLADLY
WE'LL WALK IN THE LIGHT. ♪ ♪ GLADLY, GLADLY
WE'LL WALK IN THE LIGHT. ♪ ♪ WE'LL WALK
IN THE LIGHT. ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ WE'LL WALK
IN THE LIGHT. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING: MY DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, I AM GRATEFUL TO BE WITH YOU IN THIS FIRST SESSION OF GENERAL CONFERENCE. THE SPEAKERS, THE MUSIC, AND THE PRAYER HAVE BROUGHT THE SPIRIT--AS WELL AS A FEELING OF LIGHT AND HOPE. THAT FEELING HAS BROUGHT BACK TO MY MEMORY THE FIRST DAY I WALKED INTO THE SALT LAKE TEMPLE. I WAS A YOUNG MAN. MY PARENTS WERE MY ONLY COMPANIONS THAT DAY. INSIDE, THEY PAUSED FOR A MOMENT TO BE GREETED BY A TEMPLE WORKER. I WALKED ON AHEAD OF THEM, ALONE FOR A MOMENT. I WAS GREETED BY A LITTLE WHITE-HAIRED LADY IN A BEAUTIFUL WHITE TEMPLE DRESS. SHE LOOKED UP AT ME, SMILED, AND THEN SAID VERY SOFTLY, "WELCOME TO THE TEMPLE, BROTHER EYRING." I THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT SHE WAS AN ANGEL, BECAUSE SHE KNEW MY NAME. I HAD NOT REALIZED THAT A SMALL CARD WITH MY NAME ON IT HAD BEEN PLACED ON THE LAPEL OF MY SUIT COAT. I STEPPED PAST HER AND STOPPED. I LOOKED UP AT A HIGH WHITE CEILING THAT MADE THE ROOM SO LIGHT IT SEEMED ALMOST AS IF IT WERE OPEN TO THE SKY. AND IN THAT MOMENT, THE THOUGHT CAME INTO MY MIND IN THESE CLEAR WORDS: "I HAVE BEEN IN THIS LIGHTED PLACE BEFORE." BUT THEN IMMEDIATELY THERE CAME INTO MY MIND, NOT IN MY OWN VOICE, THESE WORDS: "NO, YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE. YOU ARE REMEMBERING A MOMENT BEFORE YOU WERE BORN. YOU WERE IN A SACRED PLACE LIKE THIS." ON THE OUTSIDE OF OUR TEMPLES, WE PLACE THE WORDS "HOLINESS TO THE LORD." I KNOW FOR MYSELF THAT THOSE WORDS ARE TRUE. THE TEMPLE IS A HOLY PLACE, WHERE REVELATION COMES TO US EASILY IF OUR HEARTS ARE OPEN TO IT AND WE ARE WORTHY OF IT. LATER THAT FIRST DAY, I AGAIN FELT THE SAME SPIRIT. THE TEMPLE CEREMONY INCLUDES SOME WORDS THAT BROUGHT A FEELING OF BURNING IN MY HEART, CONFIRMING THAT WHAT WAS BEING PORTRAYED WAS TRUE. WHAT I FELT WAS PERSONAL TO ME REGARDING MY FUTURE, AND IT BECAME A REALITY 40 YEARS LATER THROUGH A CALL TO SERVE FROM THE LORD. I EXPERIENCED THE SAME FEELING WHEN I WAS MARRIED IN THE LOGAN UTAH TEMPLE. PRESIDENT SPENCER W. KIMBALL PERFORMED THE SEALING. IN THE FEW WORDS HE SPOKE, HE GAVE THIS COUNSEL: "HAL AND KATHY, LIVE SO THAT WHEN THE CALL COMES, YOU CAN WALK AWAY EASILY." AS HE SAID THOSE FEW WORDS, I SAW CLEARLY IN MY MIND, IN FULL COLOR, A STEEP HILL AND A ROAD LEADING UP TO THE TOP. A WHITE FENCE RAN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISAPPEARED INTO A ROW OF TREES AT THE TOP OF THE HILL. A WHITE HOUSE WAS BARELY VISIBLE THROUGH THE TREES. A YEAR LATER, I RECOGNIZED THAT HILL AS MY FATHER-IN-LAW DROVE US UP THAT ROAD. IT WAS IN DETAIL WHAT I SAW WHEN PRESIDENT KIMBALL GAVE HIS COUNSEL IN THE TEMPLE. WHEN WE GOT TO THE TOP OF THE HILL, MY FATHER-IN-LAW STOPPED BY THE WHITE HOUSE. HE TOLD US THAT HE AND HIS WIFE WERE BUYING THE PROPERTY AND THAT HE WANTED HIS DAUGHTER AND ME TO LIVE IN THE GUESTHOUSE. THEY WOULD LIVE IN THE MAIN HOUSE. JUST A FEW FEET AWAY. SO, DURING THE 10 YEARS WE LIVED IN THAT LOVELY FAMILY SETTING, MY WIFE AND I WOULD SAY ALMOST EVERY DAY, "WE HAD BETTER ENJOY THIS, BECAUSE WE AREN'T GOING TO BE HERE LONG." A CALL CAME FROM THE CHURCH COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, NEAL A. MAXWELL. THE WARNING GIVEN BY PRESIDENT KIMBALL TO BE ABLE "TO WALK AWAY EASILY" BECAME A REALITY. IT WAS A CALL TO LEAVE, WHAT SEEMED AN IDYLLIC FAMILY SITUATION, TO SERVE IN AN ASSIGNMENT IN A PLACE THAT I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT. OUR FAMILY WAS READY TO LEAVE THAT BLESSED TIME AND PLACE BECAUSE A PROPHET, IN A HOLY TEMPLE, A PLACE OF REVELATION, SAW A FUTURE EVENT, FOR WHICH WE THEN WERE PREPARED. I KNOW THAT TEMPLES OF THE LORD ARE HOLY PLACES. MY PURPOSE TODAY IN SPEAKING OF TEMPLES IS TO INCREASE YOUR DESIRE AND MINE TO BE WORTHY AND READY FOR THE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEMPLE EXPERIENCES THAT ARE COMING FOR US. FOR ME, THE GREATEST MOTIVATION TO BE WORTHY OF TEMPLE EXPERIENCES IS WHAT THE LORD HAS SAID OF HIS HOLY HOUSES: "INASMUCH AS MY PEOPLE BUILD A HOUSE UNTO ME IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, AND DO NOT SUFFER ANY UNCLEAN THING TO COME INTO IT, THAT IT BE NOT DEFILED, MY GLORY SHALL REST UPON IT; "YEA, AND MY PRESENCE SHALL BE THERE, FOR I WILL COME INTO IT, AND ALL THE PURE IN HEART THAT SHALL COME INTO IT SHALL SEE GOD. "BUT IF IT BE DEFILED I WILL NOT COME INTO IT, AND MY GLORY SHALL NOT BE THERE; FOR I WILL NOT COME INTO UNHOLY TEMPLES." PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON MADE CLEAR FOR US THAT WE CAN "SEE" THE SAVIOR IN THE TEMPLE IN THE SENSE THAT HE BECOMES NO LONGER UNKNOWN TO US. PRESIDENT NELSON SAID THIS: "WE UNDERSTAND HIM. WE COMPREHEND HIS WORK AND HIS GLORY. AND WE BEGIN TO FEEL THE INFINITE IMPACT OF HIS MATCHLESS LIFE." IF YOU OR I SHOULD GO TO THE TEMPLE INSUFFICIENTLY PURE, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE, BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST, THE SPIRITUAL TEACHING ABOUT THE SAVIOR THAT WE CAN RECEIVE IN THE TEMPLE. WHEN WE ARE WORTHY TO RECEIVE SUCH TEACHING, THERE CAN GROW THROUGH OUR TEMPLE EXPERIENCE HOPE, JOY, AND OPTIMISM THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES. THAT HOPE, JOY, AND OPTIMISM ARE AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH THE ORDINANCES PERFORMED IN HOLY TEMPLES. IT IS IN THE TEMPLE WE CAN RECEIVE THE ASSURANCE OF LOVING FAMILY CONNECTIONS THAT WILL CONTINUE AFTER DEATH AND LAST FOR ETERNITY. YEARS AGO, WHILE I WAS SERVING AS A BISHOP, A HANDSOME YOUNG MAN RESISTED MY INVITATION TO BECOME WORTHY TO LIVE WITH GOD IN FAMILIES FOREVER. IN A BELIGERANT WAY HE TOLD ME OF THE GOOD TIMES HE HAD WITH HIS FRIENDS. I LET HIM TALK. THEN, HE TOLD ME ABOUT A MOMENT DURING ONE OF HIS PARTIES, IN THE MIDST OF THE RACCOUS NOISE, WHEN HE SUDDENLY REALIZED THAT HE FELT LONELY. I ASKED HIM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. HE SAID THAT HE HAD REMEMBERED A TIME AS A LITTLE BOY, SITTING ON HIS MOTHER'S LAP, WITH HER ARMS AROUND HIM. FOR THAT MOMENT WHEN HE TOLD THAT STORY, HE TEARED UP. I SAID TO HIM WHAT I KNOW IS TRUE: "THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN HAVE THE FEELING OF THAT FAMILY EMBRACE FOREVER IS TO BECOME WORTHY YOURSELF--AND HELP OTHERS, TO RECEIVE THE SEALING ORDINANCES OF THE TEMPLE." WE DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS OF FAMILY CONNECTIONS IN THE SPIRIT WORLD OR WHAT MAY COME AFTER WE ARE RESURRECTED. BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THE PROPHET ELIJAH CAME AS PROMISED TO TURN PROPHET ELIJAH CAME AS PROMISED TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS TO THE CHILDREN AND THE CHILDREN TO THE FATHERS. AND WE KNOW THAT OUR ETERNAL HAPPINESS DEPENDS ON OUR DOING OUR BEST TO OFFER THE SAME LASTING HAPPINESS TO AS MANY OF OUR KINDRED AS WE CAN. I FEEL THE SAME DESIRE TO SUCCEED IN INVITING LIVING FAMILY MEMBERS TO DESIRE TO BECOME WORTHY TO RECEIVE AND TO HONOR THE SEALING ORDINANCES OF THE TEMPLE. THAT IS PART OF THE PROMISED GATHERING OF ISRAEL IN THE LAST DAYS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEIL. ONE OF OUR GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES IS WHEN OUR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE YOUNG. THEY ARE BORN WITH THE LIGHT OF CHRIST AS A GIFT. IT ENABLES THEM TO SENSE WHAT IS GOOD AND WHAT IS EVIL. FOR THAT REASON, EVEN SEEING A TEMPLE OR A PICTURE OF A TEMPLE CAN CULTIVATE IN A CHILD A DESIRE TO BE WORTHY AND PRIVILEGED SOMEDAY TO GO INSIDE. THE DAY CAN THEN COME WHEN, WHEN AS A YOUTH, THEY RECEIVE A TEMPLE RECOMMEND, TO PERFORM PROXY BAPTISMS IN THE TEMPLE. IN THAT EXPERIENCE, THEIR FEELING CAN GROW THAT THE ORDINANCES OF THE TEMPLE ALWAYS POINT TO THE SAVIOR AND HIS ATONEMENT. AS THEY FEEL THEY ARE OFFERING A PERSON IN THE SPIRIT WORLD THE CHANCE TO BE CLEANSED OF SIN, THEIR FEELING WILL GROW OF HELPING THE SAVIOR IN HIS SACRED WORK OF BLESSING A CHILD OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. I HAVE SEEN THE POWER OF THAT EXPERIENCE CHANGE THE LIFE OF A YOUNG PERSON. YEARS AGO, I WENT WITH A DAUGHTER TO A TEMPLE IN THE LATE AFTERNOON. SHE WAS THE LAST TO SERVE AS PROXY IN THE BAPTISTRY. MY DAUGHTER WAS ASKED IF SHE COULD STAY LONGER TO COMPLETE THE ORDINANCES FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHOSE NAMES WERE PREPARED. SHE SAID, "YES." I WATCHED AS MY DAUGHTER STEPPED INTO THE BAPTISMAL FONT. THE BAPTISMS BEGAN. MY LITTLE DAUGHTER HAD WATER STREAMING DOWN HER FACE EACH TIME SHE WAS LIFTED OUT OF THE WATER. SHE WAS ASKED AGAIN AND AGAIN, "CAN YOU DO MORE?" EACH TIME, SHE SAID, "YES." AS A CONCERNED FATHER, I BEGAN TO HOPE THAT SHE MIGHT BE EXCUSED FROM DOING MORE. BUT I REMEMBER STILL HER FIRMNESS WHEN SHE WAS ASKED IF SHE COULD DO MORE AND SHE SAID IN A DETERMINED LITTLE VOICE, "YES." SHE STAYED UNTIL THE LAST PERSON ON THE LIST THAT DAY HAD RECEIVED THE BLESSING OF BAPTISM IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. WHEN I WALKED OUT OF THE TEMPLE WITH HER THAT NIGHT, I WONDERED AT WHAT I HAD SEEN. A CHILD HAD BEEN LIFTED AND CHANGED BEFORE MY EYES BY SERVING THE LORD IN HIS HOUSE. I STILL REMEMBER THE FEELING OF LIGHT AND PEACE AS WE WALKED TOGETHER FROM THE TEMPLE. YEARS HAVE PASSED. SHE IS STILL SAYING, "YES," TO THE QUESTION FROM THE LORD IF SHE WILL DO MORE FOR HIM WHEN IT IS VERY HARD. THAT IS WHAT TEMPLE SERVICE CAN DO TO CHANGE AND LIFT US. THAT IS WHY MY HOPE FOR YOU AND FOR ALL YOUR BELOVED FAMILY IS THAT YOU WILL GROW IN DESIRE AND DETERMINATION TO BE WORTHY TO GO INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD AS OFTEN AS YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES ALLOW. HE WANTS TO WELCOME YOU THERE. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL TRY TO BUILD DESIRE IN THE HEARTS OF HEAVENLY FATHER'S CHILDREN TO GO THERE, WHERE THEY CAN FEEL CLOSE TO HIM, AND THAT YOU WILL ALSO INVITE YOUR ANCESTORS TO QUALIFY TO BE WITH HIM AND WITH YOU FOREVER. THESE WORDS CAN BE OURS: "I LOVE TO SEE
THE TEMPLE. I'M GOING
THERE SOMEDAY. TO FEEL THE
HOLY SPIRIT, TO LISTEN
AND TO PRAY. FOR THE TEMPLE
IS A HOUSE OF GOD, A PLACE OF LOVE
AND BEAUTY. I'LL PREPARE MYSELF
WHILE I AM YOUNG; THIS IS MY SACRED
DUTY." I BEAR SOLEMN TESTIMONY THAT WE ARE CHILDREN OF A LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER. HE CHOSE HIS BELOVED SON, JESUS CHRIST, TO BE OUR SAVIOR AND REDEEMER. THE ONLY WAY TO RETURN TO LIVE WITH THEM AND WITH OUR FAMILY IS THROUGH THE ORDINANCES OF THE HOLY TEMPLE. I TESTIFY THAT PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON HOLDS AND EXERCISES ALL THE KEYS OF THE PRIESTHOOD THAT MAKE ETERNAL LIFE POSSIBLE FOR ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN. I SO TESTIFY, IN THE SACRED NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. ♪♪ ♪ THE SPIRIT OF GOD
LIKE A FIRE IS BURNING! ♪ ♪ THE LATTER DAY GLORY
BEGINS TO COME FORTH. ♪ ♪ THE VISIONS AND BLESSINGS
OF OLD ARE RETURNING, ♪ ♪ AND ANGELS ARE COMING
TO VISIT THE EARTH. ♪ ♪ WE'LL SING AND WE'LL SHOUT
WITH THE ARMIES OF HEAVEN. ♪ ♪ HOSANNA, HOSANNA
TO GOD AND THE LAMB! ♪ ♪ LET GLORY TO THEM
IN THE HIGHEST BE GIVEN. ♪ ♪ HENCEFORTH AND FOREVER
AMEN AND AMEN! ♪ ♪♪ ♪ THE LORD IS EXTENDING
THE SAINTS' UNDERSTANDING, ♪ ♪ RESTORING THEIR JUDGES
AND ALL AS AT FIRST. ♪ ♪ THE KNOWLEDGE AND POWER
OF GOD ARE EXPANDING; ♪ ♪ THE VEIL O'ER THE EARTH
IS BEGINNING TO BURST. ♪ ♪ WE'LL SING AND WE'LL SHOUT
WITH THE ARMIES OF HEAVEN. ♪ ♪ HOSANNA, HOSANNA
TO GOD AND THE LAMB! ♪ ♪ LET GLORY TO THEM
IN THE HIGHEST BE GIVEN. ♪ ♪ HENCEFORTH AND FOREVER
AMEN AND AMEN! ♪ ♪♪ ♪ HOW BLESSED THE DAY
WHEN THE LAMB AND THE LION ♪ ♪ SHALL LIE DOWN TOGETHER
WITHOUT ANY IRE! ♪ ♪ AND EPHRAIM BE CROWNED
WITH HIS BLESSING IN ZION, ♪ ♪ AS JESUS DESCENDS
WITH HIS CHARIOT OF FIRE! ♪ ♪ WE'LL SING AND WE'LL SHOUT
WITH THE ARMIES OF HEAVEN. ♪ ♪ HOSANNA, HOSANNA
TO GOD AND THE LAMB! ♪ ♪ LET GLORY TO THEM
IN THE HIGHEST BE GIVEN. ♪ ♪ HENCEFORTH AND FOREVER,
AMEN AND AMEN! ♪ ♪♪ ♪ HENCEFORTH AND FOREVER, ♪ ♪ AMEN ♪ ♪ AND AMEN! ♪ ♪♪ ♪ AMEN! ♪♪ >> ELDER JAMES B. MARTINO: OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, WITH GRATITUDE WE COME BEFORE THEE NOW, GRATEFUL FOR THIS GENERAL CONFERENCE AND FOR THIS EASTER SEASON. WE GIVE THEE THANKS FOR THY SON, AND HIS WONDERFUL ATONING SACRIFICE. WE TRULY STAND ALL AMAZED AT THE BLESSINGS AND /TAOUPBTD OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE ARE GIVEN. WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE GOSPEL OF REPENTANCE THAT REFINES US AND BRINGS US JOY AND HAPPINESS. WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR PROPHETS, SEERS, AND REVELATORS. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR PROPHET WHO HAS INVITED US TO COME TO THEE AND LOOK FOR THOSE THINGS, THAT DEBRIS THAT MIGHT NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM WITHIN US. WILT THOU BLESS US WITH BOTH FAITH AND COURAGE TO ACT UPON THAT WHICH THOU WILT IDENTIFY TO US NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. HELP US THAT WE MAY BECOME KINDER, THAT AS OUR HEARTS ARE TURNED TO THEE, THAT WE MAY LOOK TO WAYS THAT WE CAN DRAW CLOSER TO THEE AND BLESS THE LIVES OF THY CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. HELP US DURING THIS EASTER WEEKEND, TO GAIN AN EVEN GREATER APPRECIATION OF ALL THAT HAS BEEN DONE FOR US TO RETURN TO THEE, FOR THIS IS OUR PRAYER IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. ♪♪ >> LLOYD NEWELL: THIS HAS ♪♪ ♪♪ >> LLOYD NEWELL: THIS HAS BEEN A BROADCAST OF THE SATURDAY MORNING SESSION OF THE 191ST ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. SPEAKERS WERE SELECTED FROM THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES AND GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH. MUSIC WAS PROVIDED BY THE TABERNACLE CHOIR AT TEMPLE SQUARE FROM PREVIOUS GENERAL CONFERENCES. THIS BROADCAST HAS BEEN FURNISHED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE BY BONNEVILLE DISTRIBUTION. ANY REPRODUCTION, RECORDING, TRANSCRIPTION OR OTHER USE OF THIS PROGRAM WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT IS PROHIBITED. ♪♪ CLOSED CAPTIONING BY
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS COMMENTS TO DEAFSUPPORT@
CHURCHOFJESUSCHRIST.ORG BUT INSTEAD OF
GETTING MAD AT ME, HE TAUGHT ME A LESSON
I'LL NEVER FORGET. THE BALL I WAS THROWING
WAS DAMAGING THE FENCE. AND MY DAD TOLD ME THAT HARSH WORDS
CAN BE EVEN MORE DESTRUCTIVE. LIFE'S MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS
ARE BEST LEARNED IN THE HOME. HOW YOU DOIN', JACK? COULDN'T BE BETTER. HOW YOU DOIN', JACK? COULDN'T BE BETTER. HOW YOU DOIN', JACK? COULDN'T BE BETTER. WHAT? JUST THINKING ABOUT JACK
OVER THERE. DOESN'T HE EVER HAVE
ANYTHING IMPORTANT TO DO? WHAT? HEY, MAX.
HOW YOU DOIN'? COULDN'T BE BETTER. WHERE YOU GOIN'? OVER NEXT DOOR
TO PLAY. WELL, I CAN PLAY
WITH YOU. IT'S OKAY, DAD.
I KNOW YOU'RE BUSY. <i> GIVE YOU FAMILY EVERYTHING,
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.</i> [MUSIC PLAYING] The gathering of
Israel is a miracle. It is like an enormous
puzzle whose pieces will be set in place prior
to the glorious events of the second coming. Just as we might be perplexed
with a mountain of puzzle pieces, the early saints
must have seen the commission to take the restored gospel
to all the world as a nearly impossible task. But they began one
person, one puzzle piece at a time finding the straight
edges working to rightly frame this divine work. Little by little, the
stone cut without hands began to roll forth from
hundreds to thousands to tens of thousands and now
millions of covenant latter day saints across every
nation are connecting the puzzle pieces of this
marvelous work and a wonder. Each of us is a piece of
the puzzle, and each of us helps to set in place
other essential pieces. To our amazing youth and
young adults across the world I give a special
invitation and challenge to be witnesses of God. Those who surround you are
open to spiritual inquiry. You do not come to the
table with empty hands, but with technology and
social media at your command. We need you. The Lord needs you to
be even more engaged in this great cause. Be open about your
faith in Christ. When the occasion
presents itself speak of His life,
His teachings, and His incomparable
gift to all mankind. Our view ahead is now clear. We can see the
miracle continuing and the Lord's hand
guiding us as we complete the gaps that remain. Then the great Jehovah
shall say the work is done, and He will return
in majesty and glory. [MUSIC PLAYING] TAKING UP TRAIL RUNNING
HAS BEEN FANTASTIC FOR ME. I LOVE BEING OUT
IN THE WILDERNESS. I LOVE TO SEE THE
BEAUTY OF THE TREES. IT GIVES ME A CHANCE TO PONDER. AND A LOT OF TIMES
I FIND MYSELF, AS I'M RUNNING,
PONDERING SCRIPTURES THAT ARE IN THE BOOK OF MORMON. AND IT HELPS ME SOLVE
PROBLEMS IN MY LIFE. MORONI CHAPTER 7,
VERSE 13: "BUT BEHOLD, THAT WHICH IS OF GOD
INVITETH AND ENTICETH TO DO GOOD CONTINUALLY;
WHEREFORE, EVERY THING WHICH INVITETH AND ENTICETH TO
DO GOOD, AND TO LOVE GOD, AND TO SERVE HIM,
IS INSPIRED OF GOD." AS YOU PRAYERFULLY STUDY THE
BOOK OF MORMON EVERY DAY, I PROMISE THAT AS YOU
PONDER WHAT YOU STUDY, THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN WILL OPEN,
AND YOU WILL RECEIVE ANSWERS TO YOUR OWN QUESTIONS AND
DIRECTION FOR YOUR OWN LIFE. [MUSIC PLAYING] Life's personal trials stretch
far beyond this pandemic. Future trials could
result from an accident, a natural disaster, or an
unexpected personal heartache. How can we endure such trials? The Lord has told us
that "if ye are prepared, you shall not fear." Of course, we can
store our own reserves of food, water, and savings. But equally crucial
is our need to fill our personal spiritual
storehouses with faith, truth, and testimony. Our ultimate quest in life is
to prepare to meet our Maker. We do this by striving
daily to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. And we do that as we
repent daily and receive His cleansing, healing,
and strengthening power. Then, we can feel
enduring peace and joy, even during turbulent times. This is exactly why
the Lord has implored us to stand in holy
places and be not moved. I know that God,
our Heavenly Father, and his son, Jesus
Christ, are mindful of us. We are to seek, in
every way we can, to hear Jesus Christ,
who speaks to us through the power and
ministering of the Holy Ghost. Because when we seek
to truly hear His Son, we will be guided to know what
to do in any circumstance. (gentle music) - [Narrator] This
is the World Report, of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 2021. Coming up, The
Church's partnership with Black 14 Philanthropy heals wounds from the past and
brings hope to the present. In the face of
fires, hurricanes, and other disasters, the Church's Helping Hands
rebuild communities in need, but first, physical,
emotional, and spiritual, the Church's COVID-19 response
continues to bring peace and healing to the world. As the world
continues to grapple with the ongoing
coronavirus pandemic, The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, has remained dedicated to
fortifying the physical, emotional, and spiritual
needs of the world. In November, global faith
leader Russell M. Nelson shared a message about
the power gratitude has in the lives of those
who are struggling. - No matter our situation, showing gratitude
for our privileges, is a fast-acting and long
lasting spiritual prescription. - [Narrator] In his
message, President Nelson invited the world to
turn their social media into personal
gratitude journals. And he called upon people
to pray amid personal and civil unrest. - [Narrator] Latter-day
Saint Charities, the humanitarian
arm of the Church, announced its largest single
donation to an organization. To support UNICEF's
efforts to protect children during the pandemic. - We are pleased to offer a
$20 million donation, to UNICEF to support the
global COVAX project, which seeks to provide two
billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to vulnerable populations
and healthcare workers in over 90 developing countries. - [Narrator] Days following
a joint news release, Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé, provided UNICEF with
a thank you video, explaining the critical value
of the need and partnership. - As members of a
global community, we hold hope in our hearts, not only of overcoming
the pandemic, but of seeing a brighter
future for all children, their parents and
their families. This future becomes a reality as we follow the
example of Jesus Christ in loving our neighbor and
seeking out those in need. This donation is in addition to more than one thousand
other COVID-19 relief projects, the Church and its members have
supported in 152 countries, and it represents a
small part of ongoing and future efforts to
relieve suffering worldwide. - [Narrator] Bishop Caussé
also thanked Church members and UNICEF. - We are grateful to the members
of our Church and friends who have made this
donation possible through their
generous contributions to the Humanitarian
Fund of the Church. We also express gratitude to
UNICEF's team and organization. You have done so much
to care for children and their families and help them meet their basic needs
and it's their potential. - [Narrator] Under
the guidelines issued by local health officials and as a part of their ongoing
support of immunizations and vaccinations, the
Church's First Presidency, along with some members of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and their spouse,
received COVID-19
vaccinations in January. In an online statement, the First Presidency
urged Church members to help quell the pandemic
by safeguarding themselves and others through immunization. The First Presidency
further stated that individuals are responsible for making their own
decisions about vaccination. - [Narrator] The call
to feed the hungry has always been a commission
of Jesus Christ and His Church, but since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people in need
of food has risen dramatically. During a visit to New York
City in February of 2020, just prior to the pandemic, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles, announced that the Church would donate food to
200 local pantries in more than 50 cities
throughout the state, marking the 200th anniversary
of the first time, God the Father and
His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith, an event known as
the First Vision. - We've been
blessed by the Lord, we've been blessed
by the generosity of the members of the Church and been able to, in this way, help in a great humanitarian
cause in a crucial year and situation that
none of us anticipated. (forklift sounds) - [Narrator] As part of the
year-long commemoration, more than 35 truckloads
of food and commodities were shipped to New York from the Bishop's
Central Storehouse, in Salt Lake City, Utah. - We've got about
135 contributions to food pantries in
the New York City area because of the great need and because of all that
is occurring at this time during a pandemic. It's as if the Lord
knew in advance, that there would be a need
and provided an opportunity to provide for that need. - [Narrator] Throughout
the pandemic, the Emeryville Citizens
Assistance Program or ECAP, Oakland, California,
has been helping people in dire circumstances
on a daily basis. - We were already
servicing a lot of people. As COVID continues,
the lines grow longer. (forklift creaking) - [Narrator] And just
recently, Miller says he received a special invitation from The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints to join Latter-day
Saint volunteers, members of other faiths, and
community based organizations (forklift beeping) - [Narrator] In the parking
lot of the Oakland California Temple, to help offload, transport, and distribute
80,000 pounds of food donated from the US
Department of Agriculture's Farmers to Families
Food Box program. - Thank you. - [Narrator] To some of
Oakland and San Francisco's hardest hit residents. - We gather here on
temple hill in Oakland, invited many local
churches, food pantries, other places that
serve the homeless and others to come here
and pick up the food. And we've coordinated
the logistics to make all that happen. - This is an example of
blessed are they that do, not those that preach about
only what needs to be done, but they know how to do it, and they practice
what they preach. - We Francisco's consider
ourselves ECAP and LDS, we consider ourselves a
big family here together. All working together
to try to do something to help the people that
really need it the most. - [Narrator] From the
Navajo Nation in the American Southwest, to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
on the Fort Hall Reservation in Southeastern Idaho, dozens of trucks from the
US Department of Agriculture have delivered more than 3.5
million pounds of fresh food to locations where
Latter-day Saint volunteers are handing out food boxes to Native American
families in need. - We have about
6,000 tribal members on the Fort Hall Reservation, and I have seen a
majority of families coming and taking advantage of
the food distribution boxes. - As a member of the Church and also as a member of
the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, to see these two
communities come together and to serve each other
and be able to bless lives has been close to my heart. - [Man] Okay, you guys are
full. Have a great day. - [Narrator] Coming up: - I had the biggest picket sign walking in front
of Sunday services. - Healing wounds from the past and providing hope in the
present-after 50 years, the Church and Black 14
Philanthropy unite to serve. (gentle music) (boxes ramming) - [Narrator] These
special labels represent a collaborative effort between The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. - You do it like this? - [Narrator] And the
Black 14 Philanthropy, 50 years in the making,
born out of redemption, forgiveness, and healing. - So all of this. To see miraculously how
this has all come together has been one of the
most amazing things I've ever been a part of. - [Narrator] Nine trucks
loaded with 350,000 pounds of nonperishable food (truck cranking) delivered to cities
across the United States just days before Thanksgiving, the country's holiday to
reflect on gratitude. Appropriately, it ended
where the idea began: Wilmington, North Carolina,
the hometown of Mel Hamilton, a member of the Black 14. Mel says he was inspired
by a plea on the radio to help those suffering
from lack of food. - God ascends in all of this. And so He took me and
told me to do this, and here we are today. - [Narrator] Mel reached
out to the Church, and history was made. - He reaches out to me and said, "Will you help?" And I said, "What do you need?" And the basic message was:
we really care about you, let us help. Let us mend the fences. Let us put the past in the past
and just look to the future about what I've
trying to accomplish. - [Narrator] But the
collaboration between the Church and Black 14 Philanthropy
has its roots in a contentious
incident back in 1969. Fourteen black players of the University of
Wyoming football team wanted to wear black armbands for their matchup against
Brigham Young University to protest a Church
policy at the time that didn't allow black
men to hold the priesthood. The Black 14's desire to protest resulted in their
dismissal from the team. The decision caused a
rift between students and university administrators, division in the
Laramie community, and hard feelings toward
BYU, that lasted decades. But an experience in 2005 at the Church's Institute
of Religion on campus, changed Mel's perspective and began the mending
of wounded hearts. - We invited Mel to come
and speak at the institute. He said, "I can't believe it, I picketed this building the year I was kicked
off the football team." - I had the biggest picket
sign you can imagine, walking in front
of Sunday services. - [Narrator] During that visit, Mel witnessed the association
of Black student leaders and Latter-day Saint Students, joined in making and
handing out armbands, a tradition to
remember the Black 14 whenever the Cowboys
and Cougars play. - I just broke down and cried, and I did not believe that
would ever happen. I had to, at that point, let people know that the LDS were my friends and never were my enemies. - [Narrator] From there,
Mel and his family were invited to visit
Church headquarters and its humanitarian
food production and distribution operation. - [Mel] It was very
impressive, the organization, and I had no Idea that they
did all the things that you do, especially in the way
of feeding people. - [Narrator] They also
attended general conference and were introduced
to Church leaders such as fellow gridiron athlete and former BYU
All-American quarterback and NFL quarterback,
Gifford Nielsen, now a General Authority
in the Church. Things clicked. - So, when I first met Mel, we had this instant connection
because I'm a quarterback and he's an offensive lineman. - God knows what He's doing, and He put us together,
and it was instant. - [Narrator] That newly found
friendship moved mountains, mountains of food, to grateful communities
straining under
current conditions. 86,000 pounds of food made
its way to the Cathedral Home, the University of Wyoming, and the Wind River
Indian Reservation, home of the Northern Arapaho
and Eastern Shoshone tribes. It means a great deal to
have the food delivered. The kids that live
here at Cathedral Home are with us for 9 to 12 months, so that's three meals
a day for a year. We normally distribute about 200 to 300 pounds
of food per week. So, if you do the math,
20,000 pounds of food is going to sustain us
for a very long time. (machine creaking) We are about a 70
percent unemployment rate here on the reservation. And there is unfortunately
a lot of poverty and low-income families that
really will benefit from this. - [Narrator] The food donation
set in motion a positive synergy between the Church
and Black 14 Philanthropy that's already paying dividends. The partnership is already
producing Black 14 T-shirts like this, that will
include the BYU logo and possibly the
UW logo as well. Proceeds will help young people
with education and hunger. - [Mel] God works
in mysterious ways. I've met some fine people. I've got a new
direction late in life to do something
further to help people. - [Nielsen] There are going
to be so many more stories coming out of this. This is only the beginning really of a miraculous
coming together. (gentle music) - [Narrator] When we come back: - They were
able to take that tragedy and turn it into
a miracle of love. - [Narrator] From
Oregon to Louisiana, from Salt Lake City
to the Navajo Nation, in the aftermath of disaster, Helping Hands provide
food, shelter and love. (gentle music) - [Narrator] In early September, heavy damage caused by a
severe canyon windstorm in northern Utah, (bulldozer rumbles) is providing assistance
to a community in great need some
300 miles away. - Yeah, this is just incredible. I can't say thank you enough. I'm going to cry. - [Narrator] The near
100-mile-per-hour winds, damaged homes and property, triggered widespread
power outages, and caused at least one death. - This one that we
had a couple weeks ago knocked a lot of trees over, power lines down. We went around the
neighborhood we cut up trees and that, to get them
off people's lawns. So, if we can come here and
put this wood to good use, then I'm all for it. - [Narrator] In the aftermath,
thousands of volunteers, many of them Latter-day Saints and others throughout the area, answered the first
call to help neighbors and strangers alike, with a massive cleanup, including the countless
destroyed or heavily
damaged trees. (wood thudding) With news of the windstorm
making headlines, southeastern Utah
Navajo Nation residents and community leaders,
including Pete Sands, issued a second call for help. - You know, when
I first started, it was just me going out and
collecting firewood on my own. People heard what I was
doing and wanted to help. - With COVID-19, most of the people on
the Navajo reservation haven't been able
to gather wood. And that may not sound
like that big a deal to us, but to them it's the only heat and generally the only
way they can cook food. (wood thudding) This solved what could have
been a horrible disaster for them, and it
will bless lives in ways that we it's
even begin to imagine. (bulldozer whining) - [Narrator] In just
over three weeks and with the help
of various partners, including The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, the state of Utah, Salt
Lake County government, and Utah Navajo Health
System, among others. (truck whining ) Eighty truck drivers carrying over three million
pounds of wood and counting are making their way to
Native Americans across Utah as part of the project. - Everyone who's involved has been willing to
freely donate their time, their trucks, the fuel. It just shows the generosity
of this community. - It's a tragedy to see
those trees go down, but they were able
to take that tragedy and turn it into
a miracle of love, a feeling of warmth that
is not just in the wood that will burn, but the hearts
that will swell with love. It'll give for a long time. (fire roaring) - [Narrator] 2020 is the
worst fire season on record along the US West Coast. (debris clattering) And in the aftermath,
Latter-day Saints are helping rebuild lives. In early September,
fast-moving fires destroyed more than 2,300 homes in the Rogue Valley
near Medford, Oregon. - My family lost their home. My mom lost her
whole entire house. - You see so
much devastation here, and it can really
kind of get you down. You just drive through
Talent and Phoenix and just see block after block
after block of burned homes. (speaking in Spanish) - [Narrator] The Gonzalez
family lost their home in the fire.
Taylor and Anne Cropper, a Latter-day Saint family
with five children, invited the family
to stay with them after learning they
had nowhere to go. - And so this is
a really nice way to feel like to kind of
remove some of that pain that you see. You get to know that you're
actually making a difference in someone's life. (people chattering) - [Narrator] Missionaries from
the Oregon Eugene Mission, of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteered at the expo where a shelter was set
up for fire evacuees. (debris clattering) Local Church leaders in Oregon quickly jumped into action
to serve their congregations and neighbors even
though many of them were evacuated from their homes. - This has given me
a bird's-eye view of like the best of people. We've had cars donated,
we've had money donated, we've had housing
situations donated. People are so very good. - I thought I had a clue
of what I would be seeing. And then when I
came through here, it was far worse
than I expected. - [Narrator] Fire
devastated the town of Otis near the Oregon coast. (boxes ruffling) Food boxes were assembled and given away to any in need. - In a two-person
box, they would have some cold cereal, pancake mix. - We determined that what
we really needed to do was to bring food and water into the areas where
people were coming back. We knew those were
things they could need. - I've delivered three sets
to three different widows that lost everything. And all three of them broke
into tears crying, thankful 'cause they didn't know how
they were going to eat dinner that night. - We talk about and we read
about being firm and steadfast, and I'm so grateful that I have my testimony to rely upon, that I have Church members
that can buoy me up when I'm feeling weak. (books closing) (utensils clattering) - [Narrator] Like
clockwork each week, missionaries change from
dress shirts and ties. (Car door slamming) into jeans and t-shirts. (car engine) To give much-needed service to a community suffering
from the fallout of a COVID-caused lockdowns. (people chattering) During the first few
weeks of the pandemic, more than 250 missionaries in the California San Jose
Mission, were locked down. - We were stuck
inside our apartments, had nothing to do. - But the thing that
really was the saving grace was them doing humanitarian
service projects. - We went to work
immediately with partners and are enormously grateful
that great partners like Second Harvest Food Bank
and the Latter-day Saints stepped up immediately. - We had this
opportunity to come out, and then we came here and we just started putting
produce in boxes. - It has helped tremendously
for their spirits, their mental health
and wellbeing to be able to get out and serve. - We're called a food bank, but really when you
look at our warehouses and our fleet of trucks, it's really important
to recognize the
huge scale we have. - [Narrator] Second
Harvest distributes about 12 million pounds
of food each month, that's fresh and
nonperishable sustenance to about half a million people. - Now you know that each
box that you put out, it's a family, it's someone
that you're feeding. you're serving God's children. (boxes thudding) - [Narrator] Over
the past 10 months, missionaries have exceeded
13,000 volunteer hours at second harvest, more than any
other organization. - I can't even put into
words the gratitude we have. There is no way we
would have been able to ramp up like this without
that consistent support. - [Narrator] Each
week, dozens of trucks leave Second Harvest
loaded with food. (truck engine) That includes boxes packed
by missionary hands. (boxes thudding) The Portuguese Community
Center in San Jose, is one of those locations where missionary-packed
boxes of groceries, are distributed prepared, meals are delivered
to the homebound and Latter-day Saint
missionaries are there to help. - We are giving out food but also just taking the time to really talk with them, trying to just
brighten up their day, spread some positivity
when they need it 'cause it's hard out there. - [Narrator] Those
accepting these offerings and perhaps a kind word,
say it's indeed a blessing when trying to make ends
meet in such difficult times. - We don't need to worry. There's food in the house, I have a little son,
he's just two years old, it helps a lot. - [Narrator] About 30 miles
southeast of San Jose, elders and sisters
serving in Morgan Hill have filled another
important need. - Good job. - Everything's folded. If it's not good enough
for my own grandchildren, nobody gets it. - [Narrator] Cecilia, with
the help of her husband Gary, has worked hard to serve
those in need in her community by offering a food pantry,
clothing, and more. Necessity, born out
of the COVID-crisis, inspired another service, "Para los Niños":
"For the Children." - [Cecilia] It's free tutoring because these families
do not have internet. - [Narrator] To make it work, skilled volunteers were needed. - Missionaries have been
coming to us for six years. So they jumped right in,
and they all speak Spanish. That is the beauty of it. (speaking in Spanish) - Kids, their native language
is basically English. That's where we come in. We help the parents
understand more English and help the kids
understand their homework. (speaking in Spanish) - [Narrator] Diana says
she's grateful for the help with her children's homework. (speaking in Spanish) - [Narrator] Morgan Hill
mayo, Rich Constantine says it warms his heart to
see the outpouring of support for those in need in his city. - Hi Joy, Rich Constantine, let me give you the elbow there. As a small city, we
don't have the resources, so we have to really
rely on our community and especially The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints helping out Cecilia and
other organizations. If we didn't have
those organizations, the city would not be
thriving the way it is now. - [Narrator] All combined,
elders and sisters of the San Jose mission have volunteered more than
25,000 hours in 10 months. That's more than
3,100 working days. - [Gary] These hours
that they're putting in are not just exclusively
for them as a missionary, but they're truly
finding themselves to be a fellow citizen in Christ. - [Narrator] These acts
of kindness are not unique to this mission, they're happening in communities all over the world right now, dedicated missionaries
performing countless
hours of service wherever they're needed. (gentle music) - God sent crew. I believe in God and
I know it's of God. And this crew here,
taking down the trees that are down in the yard and God knows I appreciate that. - [Narrator] In a
period of six weeks, three hurricanes struck the
Gulf Coast from southeast Texas, to the Florida Panhandle. (bulldozer whining) With each disaster, The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints organizes before and after
to provide a helping hand. And here's how. - Once we see something
brewing in the Atlantic or in the Gulf, we'll try to determine
where a command center should be set up. As a command center staff, you start showing up at
least Friday by noon. You guys are making
calls, right? We coordinate with the
Bishops' Storehouse for the truck to arrive, (truck beeping) so that the supplies can be
unloaded and staged properly. We've learned that the
full-time missionaries are a great resource. (laughing) This disaster has allowed
them to get into the community but also feel like
they can give service. - Thank you so much for this
opportunity to come help you. - Teams start arriving
at night and checking in. Come over here, we can check in. Some of these workers have
driven six, seven hours, to be there. - Are you camping here? - Yes, I'm right here. - The team
captain is the one coming in and grabbing the work orders, and I've assigning that work. - They're
geographically together. - That's what the
command center's job is, is to prioritize
those work orders to identify where to send all of these volunteers
that are coming in. - This is gonna be mostly done, so I'm thinking maybe, like,
start here and go west. - So that we make
the greatest impact
in the community. It's amazing to see the
unification that happens when a stake or ward
donates volunteers. - Number 97. - Number 97, OK. - OK, so mostly trees and tarps. - They become
unified in the gospel, all age, race, color, all those divisions
are wiped away when they're out
just helping someone. - We're here because
we love to serve, and we show love and
kindness to others like the Savior did. - It's just a godsend
coalition of Jesus's followers. I'm Catholic, and I have
Mormons and Baptists helping me clean my yard. (power saw buzzing) - [Michael] The Lord commands
us to let our light so shine. And I think that's why we
picked the color yellow, so that we shine
and to provide light for those that are maybe
sitting in darkness after a disaster. - [Group] Amen. - This tree right here is the
one that fell on my house. And I was in the
bedroom when it fell. I called for help, and they
came and helped me today, which was such a blessing. - After one of these
storms comes through, it makes you feel like your
whole life is upside down. To be able to see the
emotions and the people that I've helping, just a really very
spiritual, emotional day. - [Michael] On Sunday morning
when the workers wake up, they're able to gather
together in their own team at their campsite and
have the sacrament. (gentle music) And they're able to start
the Sabbath day off right. - We gather today, so that we can serve. - And be able to go out and work a few work orders, but it gives them that
spiritual protection, reminding them that when
you're in the service of your fellow man, you're
in the service of our God. (gentle music) - [Narrator] Up next:
In a world of unrest, the First Presidency and the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles bring their witness of
Christ to the world. And later: Latter-day
Saint Charities and the Greek Orthodox nun partner in a unique
way to feed the hungry. (gentle music) (hymn singing) (speaking in French) - [Narrator] Apostle Neil L.
Andersen and his wife, Kathy, brought a familiar message to French-speaking
Latter-day Saints, a message of hope and faith. (speaking in French) - [Narrator] Held in
February and March, a series of six virtual
area devotionals were held with six apostles, reaching Latter-day Saints ages
18 to 30 on every continent. (gentle music) - Elders and sisters can
you see us? Can you hear us? You look good. We love and admire you, as you serve in these
challenging times. - [Narrator] Holding
a virtual devotional for missionaries
around the world, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles, talked about the
power of technology in modern missionary work. - Using your smartphone
you find, teach and guide people toward baptism, who are living
thousands of miles away and sometimes might not
even speak your language. (singing in French) You use your smartphones to make impressive
video productions. - Just because I've
behind a screen doesn't mean I've providing
people entertainment. We are helping people come
closer to Jesus Christ and providing them with
spiritual nourishment. We and the people we teach, can come closer to our
Savior Jesus Christ. - Each of you has
specific gifts. Use them, share them, help each other
to discover them, and the Lord will
hasten the work. - The world is a fragile place. - [Narrator] At the Fort Worth
Summit for Religious Freedom in October, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles, talked about how
to safely navigate the sharp differences
of opinion and views that have arisen amid
the recent pandemic and worldwide unrest. - Societies flourish when both
law and culture recognize, respect, and protect the
value of each person. - I'm grateful and honored
to participate with you in this G20 Interfaith forum. - [Narrator] Speaking
about the essential nature of religious freedom
during the pandemic, Elder David A. Bednar of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles became the fourth Church leader to speak at the G20
Interfaith Forum, hosted virtually this past
October by Saudi Arabia. - My call is for respect,
accommodation and cooperation for creative solutions that
mitigate the threat of COVD19, while not cutting people off from an essential
part of their lives. - Only the gospel
of Jesus Christ can unite and bring peace
to people of all races and nationalities. - [Narrator] Following
an increase in societal and racial tensions in
the United States in 2020, Dallin H. Oaks of the
Church's First Presidency spoke at a devotional
on the campus of Brigham Young University, where he addressed the topics
of racism, building bridges, and healing by
looking to the future. - We who believe in that gospel, whatever our origins, must unite in love of each other and our Savior Jesus Christ. Let us not open a
quarrel between the
past and the present, lest we jeopardize our
attempts to improve our future. ♪ Let us build a house
where love may dwell. ♪ - [Narrator] At the
start of the new year, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, held a fireside broadcast for the Church's 2.3 million
single adults, ages 18 to 30 where he invited them
to receive the blessings of three special invitations. - Be still and know
that God is God. Let His goodness, His creations
stir your imagination, calm and assure your heart. Change the future now. Nurture multigenerational
relationships that will bless you and those
around you for years to come. And trust the Lord
of the harvest to help you become a better you. - I am pleased to announce
plans for the construction of six new temples. - [Narrator] Coming up:
New temples are announced, ground is broken for
record number of temples, and operating temples
begin to reopen. We'll take you there. (gentle music) - [Narrator] Despite
the global pandemic, the rapid growth
of temple building continues around the world. - Now I am pleased to announce
plans for the construction of six new temples. - [Narrator] In the
October general conference, President Russell M.
Nelson announced plans to construct new temples in: Tarawa, Kiribati, Port Vila, Vanuatu, Lindon, Utah, Greater Guatemala
City, Guatemala, São Paulo East, Brazil, and Santa Cruz, Bolivia. - [Narrator] Since the
October general conference, ground has been broken for 13
previously announced temples. In the United States, ground
was broken for temples in Moses Lake, Washington, Taylorsville and
Red Cliffs, Utah, Bentonville, Arkansas
and McAllen, Texas. - [Narraotr] In Central and
South America, ground was broken
for temples in Salta and Mendoza,
Argentina Cobán, Guatemala and Antofagasta, Chile. - [Narrator] In
the Pacific, Asia, and the continent of Africa, ground was broken for
temples in Bengaluru, India, Okinawa, Japan, Davao, Philippines
and Harare, Zimbabwe. - Welcome to the Phase
3, Temple experience. Your time in the temple
in this new phase of temple reopening, will feel
both familiar and different. - [Narrator] In May
2020, the Church began reopening existing temples
using a COVID-cautious, four-phase approach. Many temples have already
moved through phases 1 and 2, and in December, the First
Presidency of the Church announced that select
temples would begin Phase 3. This allows for all temple
ordinances to be performed, but with a limited capacity. Temple visits need to
be scheduled in advance, and full COVID-19
safety guidelines must be followed
while in attendance. A list of temples
entering Phase 3, as well as detailed safety
and scheduling guidelines, are available at
Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org (bulldozer rumbling) - [Narrator] The Temple
Square renovation project continues in Salt Lake
City with a new phase: repairing leaky concrete
decking on the east plaza which sits atop an
employee parking garage and creating new landscaping
with a global feel. - We'll have a large
circle of flags here from many
nations of the world, that will help celebrate
the international nature of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. - [Narrator] With an end result, to directs more focus
towards the temple. - [Andy] The landscaping
on this plaza and around the temple will
open up access to the temple and make it more inviting for
people to feel welcome here. - [Narrator] Work also
progresses at the temple site. Stones are being removed
with the help of scaffolding and a crane. (machine creaking) Interlocking pilings
will shore up the soil around the foundation
of the temple for the seismic base
isolation system. Excavation nears completion for
the new three-level addition as drilling begins on a tunnel that will connect to
the Conference Center. This was accomplished even
during a tumultuous 2020. - [Andy] We've had pandemic, we've had earthquake
and major wind storms but the work for
renewing the temple has continued in full force. - [Narrator] And renewed
optimism for what lies ahead. - I find miracles in
seeking answers to problems and solutions to
this difficult work, and I know that the
Lord is guiding us. - [Narrator] United across
continents and time, the Young Women
organization turns 150. - [Narrator] The virtual
2021 Youth Music Festival shares testimony through song. And the first Friend
to Friend event connects Primary
children in 13 languages. These stories and
more, "In the News." (upbeat music) - [Narrator] Latter-day Saints
in communities across Texas are serving their neighbors
after a winter storm with record breaking snow,
ice and cold hit the State leaving millions of people
without power food and water. 36 semi truckloads of food,
water and other supplies from the Bishops'
Central Storehouse, were sent to communities
throughout the affected area. - Latter-day saints
have been so fantastic to bless us with water
that we can pass on and give to those
neighbors in need. - [Narrator] In late February, more than 1 million
family history enthusiasts in over 235 countries,
participated in
Roots Tech Connect 2021, making this the
largest gathering in the event's 10-year history. - [Jeffery] That's what
family is all about. - [Narrator] Participants
heard from special keynote speakers including
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles and his wife, Patricia. - You are now, and will be then, part of a family. ♪ Our shadow by day ♪ And our pillar - [Narrator] In November, young
women from around the world gathered to celebrate
the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Church's
Young Women organization, commemorated by a
multilingual broadcast from the Conference
Center in Salt Lake City. - Our hopes are that
young women watching this will feel part of something. They'll feel like they belong
to hundreds of thousands of young women across the globe who share their values
and their commitment to Jesus Christ. ♪ Free my soul ♪ Oh oh ooh ♪ Oh oh - [Narrator] The
strength of testimony shared through the
power of music, the 2021 Virtual
Youth Music Festival was live-streamed in March, featuring personal testimonies and music by the youth of the
Church from around the world. - Music is the best way
to spread the gospel and a message that you
want other people to hear throughout the world. ♪ Oh oh ooh. (upbeat Latin music) - [Narrator] Luz de las
Naciones, Light of the Nations, held a virtual performance
in November and December, broadcasting a virtual Hispanic
choir and video highlights from past performances. The Latino musical
production showcased more than one thousand cast
members, dancers, singers, and performers,
sharing the culture and faith of Latter-day Saints
throughout Latin America. (crowd cheering) - Hi everyone, I'm Payson. - And I'm Brianna. - [Narrator] Hosted
by Primary children and broadcast in 13 languages, the first-ever Friend to Friend
event, was held in March. The activity-packed program invited children to
participate in arts and crafts, sing-alongs, and messages to help them learn more
about Jesus Christ. The program is also
available in shorter segments that children, parents,
and Church leaders can use in their
at-home gospel study. (gentle music) - [Narrator] On the outside, a
shipping container, on the inside, a miracle. We'll take you to the
mobile automatic bakery that's feeding
thousands of families. - [Michael] It's a
biblical anecdote to be able to share bread,
It's a spiritual experience. - If you look at some
of the pictures of children holding pieces of bread and eating that
bread, warm bread, you can only imagine
what that means. - [Narrator] In northern Syria, is a camp that is home
to about 70,000 people. Most are displaced due to
conflict in the region. - I was ordained to go
to Syria and serve there. And during this
time, we had the war. And we experienced the
distress of the Syrian people. We tried to help
them in many ways. They had difficulties
in having bread when they are in
hard-to-reach areas where all the infrastructure
are nonexistent. (crane motor) - [Narrator] But now,
thanks to a partnership between Mother Agnes, a Greek Orthodox nun and Latter-day Saint
Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, refugees in great
need of food in Syria are receiving bread in
an unprecedented way. With the help of a
mobile automatic bakery, (machine rumbling) an innovative concept born out
of hard work and inspiration. - We took a couple of
trips with Mother Agnes and visited various bakeries
and seeing how the process was. And we saw this one bakery
that was a small bakery, which then gave
us the idea that, "Hey, we could do the same thing
in the shipping container." - [Narrator] A
shipping container that can be transported
into remote areas by land, air, or sea. - The bread actually comes
around and then back up. - We sat down in Mother Agnes's
apartment that afternoon and drew out-literally
on just scraps of paper a kind of a blueprint for
what this would look like, and a few months
later, there it was. With some help from
a lot of really, good, intelligent,
and innovative people. - [Narrator] With the capacity
to produce up to 120,000 pieces of various Arabic bread
types in a 24-hour period, the turnkey system now
serves thousands of Syrians. Two more mobile bakeries will
soon be built in Lebanon, another country in desperate
need due to food shortages. - If you look
at some of the pictures of children holding pieces of bread and eating that
bread, warm bread, you can only imagine
what that means, and it's a biblical anecdote
to be able to share bread with others, and it's
a spiritual experience. (upbeat music) - [Narrator] This has
been the World Report for The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, April, 2021. - [Narrator] To watch
the World Report online, visit
Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org (gentle music) HEY DAD, CAN YOU COME OUT
AND SHOOT SOME HOOPS WITH ME? SORRY,
I CAN'T RIGHT NOW. DAD, STUDIES SHOW
THAT BY THE TIME I'M 12 I CAN BE INFLUENCED BY FRIENDS
MORE THAN PARENTS. YOU KNOW BILLY? HE'S A PRETTY GOOD KID
MOST THE TIME. BUT DO YOU REALLY WANT HIM
INFLUENCING ME MORE THAN YOU? BILLY-- SPOT YOU THREE POINTS. <i>GIVE YOUR FAMILY EVERYTHING,
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.</i> WHY DON'T WE ALL GO
ROLLER BLADING TONIGHT? UH, NOT TONIGHT HONEY. MOM, SPENDING TIME
WITH ME NOW MEANS HAVING A BETTER CHANCE
OF BEING CLOSE TO ME
WHEN I'M A TEENAGER. HOW ARE YOU GOING
TO DEAL WITH THAT
IF WE'RE NOT CLOSE? <i> GIVE YOUR FAMILY EVERYTHING,
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.</i> FUERA! FUERA! ALL I REALLY NEEDED
TO HEAR THAT DAY WAS WHAT MY DAD
TOLD ME. HE SAID, "YOU'RE NEVER A WINNER
IF YOU LOSE YOUR TEMPER." LIFE'S MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS
ARE BEST LEARNED WITH FAMILY. A MESSAGE FROM... ♪♪ >> ABOUT THE YEAR AD 30, OUTSIDE THE WALLS OF JERUSALEM, AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN NAMED JESUS OF NAZARETH WAS CRUCIFIED ALONG WITH TWO THIEVES. IT WAS AN EVENT THAT WOULD CHANGE THE WORLD, AND VERY FEW UNDERSTOOD. >> THEIF ON CROSS: IF THOU BE THE CHRIST, SAVE THYSELF AND US. >> THIEF ON CROSS: DOST NOT THOU FEAR GOD, SEEING THOU ART IN THE SAME CONDEMNATION? AND WE INDEED JUSTLY, FOR WE RECEIVE THE DUE REWARD OF OUR DEEDS; BUT THIS MAN HATH DONE NOTHING AMISS. >> JOHN: MY NAME IS JOHN. AND INDEED, IT COULD BE WELL SAID OF THIS MAN JESUS, HE DID NOTHING AMISS. I WAS WITH HIM FOR THE LAST YEARS OF HIS LIFE. I WATCHED HIM GIVE SIGHT TO THE BLIND. ... HEAL THE SICK AND THE LAME. I WAS A WITNESS AS HE RAISED THE DEAD BACK TO LIFE. >> JESUS: TALITHA CUMAI. ARISE. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> JOHN: AND YET, HE WAS REJECTED BY THOSE WHO SHOULD HAVE REJOICED AT HIS COMING. >> RULER IN SANHEDRIN: HE IS GUILTY OF DEATH! >> RULERS (TOGETHER): DEATH! ♪♪ >> JOHN: AS I AND MY FELLOW DISCIPLES FOLLOWED HIM THROUGH THE CITY AND HILLS OF JUDEA, WE CAME TO KNOW FOR OURSELVES A MIRACULOUS TRUTH, THAT THE APOSLTE PETER EXPRESSED FOR US ALL. >> JESUS: WHOM DO MEN SAY THAT I, THE SON OF MAN, AM? >> PETER: THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD. >> JOHN: THE CHRIST, THE ANOINTED ONE, HAD THE POWER AND AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE MANKIND OF THEIR SINS. >> JESUS: SON, THY SINS BE FORGIVEN THEE. ARISE. ♪♪ >> JOHN: IN OUR POSSESSION, WE HAD THE WRITINGS OF ANCIENT PROPHETS WHO PROPHESIED ABOUT THIS MESSIAH, THE SON OF GOD, BUT WE DID NOT FULLY COMPREHEND. FOR THE LAST WEEK OF HIS LIFE, I WAS AN EYEWITNESS. AS THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH FORETOLD CENTURIES BEFORE, MANY WELCOMED HIS RETURN TO JERUSALEM AS THE MESSIAH, THEIR KING. AS WE DINED WITH HIM ON HIS LAST NIGHT, HE TRIED TO WARN AND PREPARE US FOR HIS IMPENDING DEATH. >> JESUS: A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE UNTO YOU, THAT YE LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. YE ARE MY FRIENDS ... TAKE THIS AND DIVIDE IT AMONG YOURSELVES. FOR I SAY UNTO YOU, I WILL NOT DRINK OF THE FRUIT OF THE VINE UNTIL THE KINGDOM OF GOD SHALL COME. >> JOHN: AS WE LEFT THIS UPPER ROOM, JESUS WAS GREATLY TROUBLED, YET HE SPOKE TO US WORDS OF COMFORT. >> JESUS: PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU. MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU. NOT AS THE WORLD GIVETH GIVE I UNTO YOU. LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID. >> JOHN: STILL, WE DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT LAY AHEAD. >> JESUS: ALL YE SHALL BE OFFENDED BECAUSE OF ME THIS NIGHT. FOR IT IS WRITTEN, I WILL SMITE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED ABROAD. ♪♪ >> JOHN: PETER, JAMES, AND I FOLLOWED HIM FURTHER INTO THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. >> JESUS: MY SOUL IS EXCEEDING SORROWFUL, EVEN UNTO DEATH. ♪♪ TARRY YE HERE AND WATCH WITH ME. ♪♪ >> JESUS: ABBA. FATHER. ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE UNTO THEE. TAKE AWAY THIS CUP FROM ME. NEVERTHELESS, NOT MY WILL BUT THINE BE DONE. >> JOHN: INDEED, OUR SPIRITS WERE WILLING BUT OUR FLESH WAS WEAK, FOR WE WERE HEAVY WITH SLEEP. >> JESUS: SLEEPEST THOU? COULDST NOT THOU WATCH ONE HOUR? >> JOHN: WE DID NOT COMPREHEND THAT THE SON OF GOD, WHOM WE SAW HAD POWER TO FORGIVE SINS, WAS NOW OFFERING HIMSELF AS PAYMENT FOR THE MISDEEDS OF ALL MANKIND. UNAWARE, WE SLEPT ON. ♪♪ HE WAS IN GREAT AGONY. "HE PRAYED MORE EARNESTLY; AND HIS SWEAT WAS, AS IT WERE, GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD FALLING DOWN TO THE GROUND." ♪♪ ♪♪ >> JESUS: WHOM SEEK YE? >> RULER OF JEWS: JESUS OF NAZARETH. ♪♪ >> JOHN: ONE OF OUR OWN BETRAYED OUR LORD TO THE RULERS OF THE JEWS. >> JUDAS: MASTER! [WHISPERED] >> PILATE: YE HAVE BROUGHT THIS MAN UNTO ME AS ONE THAT PERVERTETH THE PEOPLE. I HAVE EXAMINED HIM BEFORE YOU AND FIND NO FAULT WITH THIS MAN TOUCHING THOSE THINGS WHEREOF YOU ACCUSE HIM. I HAVE SENT HIM TO HEROD. HE HAS FOUND THAT NOTHING WORTHY OF DEATH HAS BEEN DONE. I WILL, THEREFORE, CHASTISE HIM AND RELEASE HIM. >> CROWD AND RULERS: NO! NO! >> PILATE: ACCORDING TO YOUR CUSTOM AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, ONE PRISONER SHALL BE RELEASED. >> RULER: BARABAS. FREE BARABAS. >> CROWD: NO! >> PILATE: WHAT SHALL I DO THEN WITH JESUS WHO IS CALLED THE CHRIST? >> CROWD AND RULERS: CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM! >> JOHN: NO! >> MARY: PLEASE, SPARE MY SON! [ CROWD CHANTING ] >> PILATE: I AM INNOCENT OF THE BLOOD OF THIS JUST PERSON. SEE YE TO IT. ♪♪ >> JESUS: IN THE WORLD ... ... YOU SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION, BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER. I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. [RHYTHMIC HAMMER POUNDING] >> JOHN: EVEN IN HIS INTENSE SUFFERING, AS HE PAID THE FINAL PRICE FOR US ALL, HIS THOUGHTS WERE ON OTHERS. HIS LAST REQUEST OF ME WAS TO CARE FOR HIS BELOVED MOTHER. >> JESUS: BEHOLD, THY MOTHER! ♪♪ >> JESUS: FATHER. INTO THY HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT. IT IS FINISHED. [THUNDER RUMBLES] >> JOHN: THESE THINGS ARE WRITTEN THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, AND THAT BELIEVING YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE THROUGH HIS NAME. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> JOHN: THE DARKNESS IS PAST, AND THE TRUE LIGHT NOW SHINES. THIS IS THE PROMISE THAT HE HAS PROMISED US, EVEN ETERNAL LIFE. ♪♪ >> JESUS: MARY. >> MARY MAGDELINE: RABONNI! >> JOHN: WE BEHELD HIS GLORY! AND BECAUSE OF HIM, WE ALL SHALL LIVE AGAIN. FOR HE IS RISEN ♪♪ AS A MEMBER OF THE BELOVED FAMILY OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. WITH GOD'S HELP WE CAN ALL FEEL THAT HOPN H. OAKS: [MUSIC PLAYING] My dad and my mom--they
live in Uttarakhand, in northern part of India. My dad and my mom got
married when he was, I think, 18-year-old and my
mom was 15-year-old. So, I came from that
background where it's like men are
ruling their families. So, men is very important
and women are less important. But my dad, even though
he has six daughter, he never, never let us down. He said, "Do whatever you
want to do in your life, OK? I won't stop you." I think my mom inspired
my dad because my mom is a very strong woman. She always tell to my dad that
"I want to educate my daughter. Please don't stop them." And my dad said OK. My mom was really, really sick. We take her to the
different temples, like Sikh temples, and Muslim
temples, like Hindu temples, and we couldn't get any answer
and any relief for my mom. So, one day, my sister
Angeli met her friend. Her name is Monisha. So she said, "So we
go to this church-- why don't you take your mom here
because maybe the pastor can heal your mom." So I said, "OK,
let me go first." So, when I went to
that church first time, it was in the Easter time. And the pastor was telling
about Jesus Christ. I cried that day when
they were worshipping Him. I did not hear anything what
they were singing, what they were talking; I
just heard one voice that "He died for your sin." And that really-- I was shocked. I was like, "How can
He die for my sin?" After one year, I was
coming from my college. I had exam. And as I was walking,
I saw Monisha. So she was standing
on the road, and I was all, "What are you doing here?" So then she told
me that, you know, "I'm waiting for the elders." Then I was, like, "Elder? What do you mean? What 'elder' means?" So she said, "I also don't know. But I'm waiting for the two
people who are wearing badge and they're wearing white
shirt and black pant, and they're coming to my home." So I said to Monisha
that "I'm going home." And she said, "Are you
coming to my home?" So I said, "No, I'm not coming. I'm going to my home because I
have to prepare for my exam." As I start walking, I heard
a voice, "Hi, sisters." So I looked back. So they invited me. They said, "Now, sister, we
are going to Monisha's house. Would you like to come?" So I said, "No. I'm already tired, and tomorrow
is also big exam for me. I want to go home and
prepare for that." As I was sitting down, I heard
a voice that, "You should go." I was so shocked, like,
"What voice I'm hearing?" And I was ignoring that
voice till 15 minutes. After like 15
minutes, I was, like, "OK, I think I should go." I told my younger sister-- her name is Ashu. I said, "Ashu, let's go. We are going to
Monisha's house." So then she's like, "Why?" And I said, "Let's go. Come with me." So I went to their house. I knocked the door. And I went inside. The elders said, "I know
that you will come." They started teaching about
Joseph Smith's vision. He was also searching the truth. Joseph Smith sees Heavenly
Father and Jesus Christ. My body was so calm. My mind, my heart was so calm. I feel like this
is the right place. This is it. I never, never heard about
Heavenly Father before. I know that Jesus
Christ is there, but I don't know that we have
Father also, Heavenly Father. So, after they
finish the teaching, they give me their card. They said, "Sister, this is our
Church, and this is our number. And our Church start in
afternoon around 2:00. So would you like to come?" So I said, "Elder, I'm
already going to a church." So they said, "OK, but try
to come to our Church." So next Sunday, I went to
the Pentecostal church, and then in the
afternoon, I went to The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. So in the evening, I
was sitting in my roof. I look up in the sky. I said, "Whoever you are,
tell me what is the truth. I'm struggling here. I don't know what to do. Somebody's saying, 'Do this.' And somebody's
saying, 'Do that.' Where I need to go?" I said, "Whoever you
are, if you're real God, tell me what I need to do." I slept and I saw a dream. In my dream, I saw that the
elders are giving me baptism. I went to the
water and came out. I don't how to say it,
but it just literally feel to me it's real. At that time, I know
this is my answer. I call elder in the morning. I said, "Elder, I'm
ready for the baptism." So after we all get baptized,
on December, my mom died. My hope and everything was-- I feel like everything
is gone, because we are so close to our mom. Even though I
joined this Church, I have a hope that
my mom will be healed and she'll be like
before she was. And I have really much hope that
Heavenly Father will save her, but she died. They talk about a
plan of salvation. I know that I can
meet my mom again. That is the way Heavenly Father
was preparing me for that. He was preparing
me to find truth. I think this is all planned,
because I have the testimony He was preparing me for that day. And I can feel that I
can meet my mom again. If you're searching for the
truth for your own life, ask God, as I asked,
as Joseph Smith asked. You will get your
answer by Holy Ghost. I felt it in my heart. I listened that voice. And I feel so happy to be a
member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And I want that everyone
feel the same, the way I do. [MUSIC PLAYING] FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES,
MOST DOORS SERVE TWO PURPOSES. THEY LET PEOPLE IN, AND
THEY KEEP PEOPLE OUT. SO THE QUESTION
WE HAVE TO ASK IS: DO OUR DOORS LET PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES IN OR KEEP THEM OUT? [MUSIC PLAYING] ONE IN THREE--WHEN PEOPLE HEAR
IT, THEY DON'T BELIEVE IT. THAT ONE IN THREE HOUSEHOLDS
HAS A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY. AT CHURCH YOU'LL
HEAR PEOPLE SAY, "BUT WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE WITH A
DISABILITY IN OUR CONGREGATION, BECAUSE IF WE DID, WE'D
KNOW WHO THEY WERE." "BECAUSE IF WE DID, WE'D
BUILD A RAMP FOR THEM." EXCEPT RIGHT NOW, I
DON'T NEED A RAMP. I JUST NEED THE TEACHER
TO USE A MICROPHONE. RIGHT NOW I JUST NEED A FRIEND. SOMEONE TO PRAY WITH. SOMEONE TO TELL STORIES TO. SOMEONE TO BOND
WITH OVER OUR FAITH. BUT HOW CAN YOU BOND
WHEN YOU'RE INVISIBLE, HIDING IN PLAIN
SIGHT--THOSE WITHOUT SIGHT, THE HARD OF HEARING? THOSE WITH DEPRESSION,
AUTISM, ANXIETY? THOSE WHO HAVE A
HARD TIME FITTING IN? THOSE WITH FRAGILE BODIES,
WHO TRY HARD BUT STRUGGLE? I JUST NEED YOU TO
BELIEVE: BELIEVE IN ME, TO BELIEVE THIS PLACE WOULD BE
BETTER WITH ME BY YOUR SIDE. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY
THOUGHT ABOUT THE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU BELONG, TRULY
BELONG IN A COMMUNITY? IT'S HARD TO DESCRIBE
EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE, BUT YOU DEFINITELY KNOW
WHEN YOU DON'T FIT IN. PEOPLE TALK ALL THE TIME
ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS. BUT THESE ARE NOT SPECIAL NEEDS;
THEY'RE EVERYBODY'S NEEDS. WE JUST WANT TO BE
INVITED, NOTICED, LOVED. AND THAT MANIFESTATION
OF LOVE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ANYTHING BIG. SOMETIMES THE SIMPLEST THINGS
ARE THE MOST MEANINGFUL. AFTER ALL, FAITH
ISN'T ABOUT PROGRAMS. IT IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS. AND REACHING OUT DOESN'T
REQUIRE THE EXTRAORDINARY--JUST A REGULAR OUTPOURING
OF THE ORDINARY. WE CAN SHARE. WE CAN SERVE. WE CAN CONTRIBUTE. WE CAN HELP. WE'RE BELIEVERS JUST LIKE YOU. AND JUST LIKE YOU,
WE CAN LISTEN. WE CAN COMFORT. WE CAN OFFER ALL OF OUR SUPPORT. FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES,
MOST DOORS SERVE TWO PURPOSES. BUT THE DOORS HERE
SHOULD ONLY HAVE ONE. [MUSIC PLAYING] TO TAKE UPON OURSELVES
THE NAME OF CHRIST MEANS WE FAITHFULLY
STRIVE TO SEE AS GOD SEES. TO TAKE UPON MYSELF
THE NAME OF CHRIST MEANS TO REPRESENT HIM AT ALL
TIMES, IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, IN ALL PLACES. I THINK NOT LOSING SIGHT IN THIS
LIFE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS, AND TRYING TO SERVE THOSE AROUND
ME MORE THAN--MORE THAN JUST BUILDING UP MY OWN LIFE. SAINTS TAKE THE SAVIOR'S
NAME UPON THEMSELVES BY BECOMING HOLY AND
MINISTERING TO ALL, REGARDLESS OF WHERE OR HOW THEY STAND. CAN ANY ONE OF YOU
IMAGINE OUR SAVIOR LETTING YOU AND YOUR
BURDENS GO UNNOTICED BY HIM? THE SAVIOR LOOKED UPON THE
SAMARITAN, THE ADULTERER, THE TAX COLLECTOR, THE
LEPER, THE MENTALLY ILL, AND THE SINNER
WITH THE SAME EYES. ALL WERE CHILDREN OF HIS FATHER. ALL WERE REDEEMABLE. HE WANTS ALL TO KNOW THERE
IS NOTHING AND NO ONE HE IS UNABLE TO HEAL AND
TO DELIVER TO ENDURING JOY. IN ANY OF LIFE'S TRAVELS,
WHY WOULD YOU EVER TURN AWAY FROM THE ONLY SAVIOR WHO HAS ALL
POWER TO HEAL AND DELIVER YOU? WHATEVER THE PRICE YOU MUST
PAY TO TRUST HIM IS WORTH IT. HE HAS GIVEN US THE SCRIPTURES. HE'S GIVEN US THE GUIDANCE
OF MODERN PROPHETS. AND I THINK IF WE
CAN READ THOSE WORDS, AND WE CAN SEEK TO LIVE
AS THOSE WORDS TELL US TO, I THINK YOU'LL START TO
FEEL THE LOVE OF CHRIST. YOU'LL START TO FEEL THAT
YOU CAN TRUST IN CHRIST. BY TAKING UPON OURSELVES
THE NAME OF CHRIST, WE COMMIT TO TAKE HIS
TEACHINGS, HIS CHARACTERISTICS, AND ULTIMATELY HIS LOVE
DEEP INTO OUR BEING SO THAT THEY BECOME
PART OF WHO WE ARE. IN ORDER TO ACCESS THE
SAVING POWER THAT COMES ONLY THROUGH THE NAME OF CHRIST,
WE MUST HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE GOD AND COME FORTH WITH
BROKEN HEARTS AND CONTRITE SPIRITS AND BE WILLING TO
TAKE UPON US THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. WE SHOW OUR LOVE TO OUR
SAVIOR AND OUR HEAVENLY FATHER BY STEPPING OUT OF
OUR COMFORT ZONE AND SEEKING TO FOLLOW
THE SPIRIT'S PROMPTING AND TO DO WHAT HE
WOULD HAVE US DO. IT IS A PROCESS THAT
HAPPENS EVERY DAY. IT IS A PROCESS OF PRAYER. IT'S A PROCESS OF SCRIPTURE. IT'S A PROCESS OF LOOKING
AT OTHERS AS YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND AS
PEOPLE AND LOVING THEM AS THE SAVIOR WOULD LOVE THEM. THE LORD ALWAYS SAYS THAT "IF
YOU HAVE A HEARTFELT DESIRE TO DO MY WILL,"
HE'S ALWAYS THERE TO PREPARE THE WAY FOR YOU. THOSE WHO EXERCISE FAITH IN
THE SACRED NAME OF JESUS CHRIST AND ENTER INTO HIS
COVENANT CAN LAY CLAIM ON THE ATONING SACRIFICE
OF JESUS CHRIST. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WANTS
TO MAKE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT THE NAME OF HIS
SON, JESUS CHRIST, IS NOT SIMPLY ONE
NAME AMONG MANY. THE SAVIOR'S NAME HAS
SINGULAR AND ESSENTIAL POWER. IT IS THE ONLY NAME BY
WHICH SALVATION IS POSSIBLE. [MUSIC PLAYING] [MUSIC PLAYING] THIS IS A CHURCH. THIS IS A BELIEVER. THIS IS A HYMN. THESE ARE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. THIS IS LOVING YOUR ENEMY. LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR. LOVING GOD. THIS IS FAITH. THIS IS FORGIVENESS. THIS IS HALLELUJAH. THIS IS RELIGION. THIS IS ORGANIZED RELIGION. THIS IS CHURCH. I DID SOMETHING YOU MENTIONED
IN OUR LAST CLASS. I DREW PICTURES WITH MY
FIVE YEAR-OLD LAST NIGHT. WHO KNEW SHE HAD
SO MUCH TO SAY. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND
THE ASSIGNMENT. I DID THE OTHER THING
YOU SAID, YOU KNOW,
GET DOWN ON THEIR LEVEL, MAKE EYE CONTACT. AND THEN WE JUST
WALKED AROUND THE PARK, PAST THE SCHOOLS, AND THEN WE HAD TO
GO BY BOBBY FELDON'S HOUSE. I HAD NO IDEA MY SON
WANTED TO PLAY THE PIANO. OKAY, SLOW DOWN, I'VE GOT PARK,
SCHOOL, TALK, PIANO, WHAT WAS THE OTHER THING? I'LL BE HONEST, AT FIRST,
I MEAN I WAS REALLY FRIGHTENED. CAN YOU IMAGINE A MAN MY SIZE
PLAYING HOPSCOTCH? BUT YOU KNOW WHAT,
IT REALLY GOT THINGS GOING. I MEAN, WE RELATED,
WE REALLY DID. VERY GOOD. NEXT WEEK'S ASSIGNMENT IS TO EAT DINNER TOGETHER
EVERY NIGHT AND TELL ME WHAT CHANGES
IN YOUR FAMILY. DO WE GET EXTRA CREDIT
FOR DESSERT? EXCELLENT!
CLASS DISMISSED. <i>GIVE YOUR FAMILY EVERYTHING,
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.</i> <i> [ HAWAIIAN MUSIC PLAYS ]</i> I'M SO GLAD
WE DECIDED TO DO THIS. IT WASN'T THAT HARD. AND THE KIDS LOVE IT. <i> HEY, DAD.</i> [ DELIGHTED SCREAMS
AND LAUGHTER ] <i> GIVE YOUR FAMILY EVERYTHING,
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.</i> YAH! [HORSE WHINNY] [WOOD BREAKS] CRACK! HELP MEEEEE! SOMEBODY HELP HER! C'MON DEPUTY,
LET'S GO! HOLD ON! YAH! TAKE MY HAND! WHAT ARE YOU GUYS
DOING OUT HERE? DAD WAS JUST HELPING ME
TAKE CARE OF KATIE. YOU KNOW...
RUNAWAY STAGE. WELL, DINNER WILL BE READY
IN A FEW MINUTES. <i> IMAGINE WHAT A LITTLE TIME
CAN DO FOR YOUR FAMILY.</i> KIDS OFTEN WITHDRAW WHEN THEIR NEEDS
AREN'T BEING MET. IT WOULD BE EASIER
IF THEY SAID, "I NEED
A LITTLE ONE-ON-ONE TIME." BUT IT'S UP TO US,
THEIR PARENTS, TO LEARN THEIR LANGUAGE. AND ONCE
YOU FIGURE IT OUT, YOU DON'T REALLY
HAVE TO SAY MUCH AT ALL. [MUSIC PLAYING] If you could visit cities
around the Mediterranean Sea 3,000 years ago,
you'd find people enjoying a delicious
little treat: raisins. Today, many years
later, people still enjoy raisins in cookies,
cinnamon rolls, salads, or just plain. So where do raisins come from? This 80-acre vineyard
in Madera, California, is owned and operated by
the Welfare Department of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. This vineyard has rows
and rows of grapevines. The work at this vineyard
is done almost entirely by volunteers. In the winter, volunteers
prune the vines, they cut away all
the extra branches, the summer growing season. gr With lots of water and
sunshine, the grapes grow plump and juicy until
they are ready to be harvested. Thousands of volunteers
come to this vineyard from nearby towns. They pick bunches of
grapes from the vine and place them on paper
trays to dry in the sun. Over the course of
about three weeks, the sun shines down on
the trays of grapes. The water inside the grape
seeps out and evaporates. The grapes grow smaller,
sweeter, and wrinklier. The dried fruit is
put into bins and sent to a plant which cleans the
raisins and takes out all the stems and leaves. The raisins are put in
packages and shipped out. The raisins from the Madera
vineyard are special. Not only are they pruned
and harvested by volunteers, but they all go
to people in need. Some of the raisins
are given to people who have had to go through
disasters or hardships in different places
around the world. Some of the raisins are given
to families and individuals in need at bishops' storehouses. Some of the raisins are given
to food banks, soup kitchens, and rescue missions
throughout the United States. Who knew such a small treat
can make such a big difference? But it's just one way we
can try to be like Jesus. Because as He said, "Love one
another as I have loved you." [MUSIC PLAYING] I woke up one morning,
and I was just crying. I remember going
to brush my teeth, and I looked in the mirror. I remember just
looking at myself and just like, "Really,
this is who you are? This is what you want to be?" I kind of made a
decision for myself that I wanted to be done,
I wanted to end my life. My name is Dominic
Still, and I'm from Tri-Cities,
Washington, born and raised. I've been pole vaulting for
probably nine years now. With pole vault, you
always go out on a miss, because that's how
the competition ends. And so you're going to fail
over, and over, and over again. And as long as you
pick yourself back up and you're willing
to keep striving, things will fall into
place, but you've got to be willing to
make the sacrifice. After graduating high
school, I had an opportunity to go vault collegiately. Really, my fuseses were not
on what they should have been. Before I found the Church, I was
going down a pretty dark path dealing with some
mental stuff, whetheit was depression or some anxiety. And the way I really
dealalt with that was drinking, going
out and partying, or going to find some
otheououtlet to, in a way, numb myself. I actually had a friend
who went to church, and she was out
of town that time, but I was like,
"I need something more than what I have right now,
and I need to go to church." So, I walked in a little
late to the sacrament meeting on a Sunday,
and I'm in black skinny jeans and a black shirt
and all pierced up. And I just remember
sitting next tththis lady, and she really reminded
me of my grandma. She seemed so sweet, and she
had a big smile on her face. And then I remember
her just looking at me and going, "I just
want you to know we're so happy that you're here." And I smiled and
something clicked, and I was just like,
"Wow, this feels right." After going to church, things
started getting a lot better. I started having more structure,
something I could hold on to. But the thoughts of suicide kept
getting more and more strong. One night, I kind of made
a decision for myself that I wanted to end my life. I walked out of hououse. I had started writing
a big group message to all my friends and family-- that it wasn't their fault,
and that I loved them, and that I just feel that
this is for the best. And I've been walking for
probably an hour and a hal and it was snowing
and it was cold. And there was maybe one car
that passed the whole time. And then out of nowhere, I
just see a truck fly by me, and the truck slams
on his brakes, and then the truck backs up,
and then looks over at me and says, "Hey,
are you doing okay? Do you need a ride anywhere? Because there's
nothing going that way. Everything's back that way." And I said, "I was just
getting ready to turn around." Kind of looking back at it, . I'm walking towards a
decision that ends everything, and for that man to
point out nothing's down there because
everything's back there. all my heart that And h was Heavenly Father's
doing, that He probabl gave that man a
prompting toheheck on me and to make sure I was okay. And so I started walking back
d d made it all the way home. And I woke up the
next morni, , and I got the strongest
prompting in the world that I needed to fast. I just put down
my phone; I didn't want to touch any chchnology. And so I pulled
out mymy scriptures, and I ayayed and prayed. I'd gon n a walk, and
I'd pray in my heart. I'd come back, and
I'd read scriptures. I remember getting
down on myneeses and prining, "Heavenly Father,
just take this pain away frfrom ? Teach mehahat I need to know. Is thehurcrch true? Was Joseph Smith a Prophet? ArAre you real? Is Christ real Is this the Spirit
that I'm feeling?" And I just got the sweetest
confirmationn n my heart, the most beautiful
feeling of peace, and just an amazing thought
in my head thasasaid, "It is. It all is. Th i is the right
thing I'm doing. This is the Spirit,
this is Heenenly Father, this i. And this is Christ's Church." Having the restored
spspel on this earth hachchanged everything for me. It h t taught me to come to know
my Savior, my Redeemerhrisist, and to learn more
abt t Heavenly Fatr.r. It taught h how
to humble myself, how b be meek, how to
care about other people a AnHeHe's given me
everythi I feeeel I need in this life d d more. I'd say now when I look in
the mirr, , I'm so happy. I I see light in
that person's eyes. I I see a smile. I see someone whs stririving. d d I see someone who
can still beetetr, and I want to keep
stri[MUSIC PLAYI]]ter. 's's aeeeeling that
u u cannot deny. sticks with u.u. It's t about it, it sticks wi y youis For everybody it's
a bit different, thought comeo o ur m mind, a feeling in your heart.a moa llll feel a strong
confirmation telngnge that what I'm doing
a aood d thing or wt t I'm deciding to do
is the right tngngo dodo. [MUSUSIC PLAYING] c. c c teachch us. It speaks tos s in a way
that wununrstandnd it. I feel this rerety at the
very cteteof my y being. I elelaith a and
I feel confidence. It comes differentoo
Ieveryone, but fomemet'sng. always a feengng I. [M[MUSIC PLAYING He's always there and Henanables
you to makgogo decisisions, whats s good from bad,be er ev i iit's a a reayy
confusing situioion. e e ly Ghohost c h heleveveryone
ifhehey have a willingeaea and if they're wlili to bebe
ededie t to the commanenents that God has f u u not left ualalone. s HeHe's actually providg g way
foususo alalways be in--rtrt of in nvnversation with Him. ThThat idodo by y kneeling
do e every day, praying, thatononversation with Him I stveve tlili closese
t the Spirit every da by following the
cocommandments, d d I prpro so that I n n ess s hers.. [MUSIC] [RAIN PITT-P-PTERIRI] I've had some wsws
experiend d my y fe where. AnI I thk k the only thi
that kept meme frogiging upp completelyn n fe was
ththat Hy y Ghost saying eyey"--it wasn't l ld voice;
it w a auiet v voiceanand woulsasay, "Hey, HeanlnlyFa. When Ieeeethe Holy Spipirit, t where it pheheme t to become
bebeer version o of mylflf a always evalua m melf,f,
and to s a a my weaknesssses . [M[MUSIC PLAYING about alal truststing with
alalyour heart, mimigh m md, l and streththand just knowiwings Holyly Sririyou cacan ha a aess . TWO MOMO IMPORORTANT DAYS E INOUOULIFE ARE
THTHDAY YOYOU ARE BORN D D THDADATHAT YOU FINDD OU. VEVEO SPSPD OUR ENTIRE L LE
TRYING TO SCSCER ITSTS PURSESE I WANT TO PHPHIZE THTHREE
FULFILLINGNG THAPUPUOSE. S TO LOOK K GOD THAT WILLLL
HEHE US MAMAINTA O O FOCUS ON OUR ETERNAL PURPOPO. WE JUST T THROUOUGH T M MOTNSS NOTICE T T FOCUSUS THAISIS , D CONSNSIDERHYHY THTH . ERERARE E UNTLESS S WA
WE CAN KEEP OUR PROMOME ALWAYAYS REMBMB THE SAVIOR
IN T T COURSRSE OF D D. HOW W LL YOUOU ALWSS RE? AND
THAT'S A B BIGF-F-HEY ARARE DO AN WITHTH REAININNT. PRAYING G ANSTSTYING
THE SCSCPTURES ARARTHE NEXT TWO SMALL
D SIMPLE THINGNG OPHETTO DTHTHSMALLESENT
AT IHAND SIMPLELEHINGS,S,. KE PRAYING AND
STUDUDNG THEHE SCRTUTUS. SO W? PE ISS NEGATIVE CONONSEQUCECE , IFIF WMIMI A DAY OR TWO. AND THE SAME H HEIGH
TREEIN MY BACKYARDRD.CIESEAO I ANAND ONE WHERE IT
GOT A LITTLE SUN D DLY, ANANI PLPLTED THE OTHER WHERE
IT ENJNJOYEDULULSUNLIGHT. OVER THE NEXT YEAR, , I DI'T'E IN THEHEROWTH OF THE T T TRERE. BUWHEN WE RETURNED, I WASSES.
ON A THREE-YEAR MISSION. THE E COOUOUING EFFECT OFF Y MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCECE ORR. THE SAME T TNG
HAPPENS IN OURURIVES, WE EXPOSE OURSELVES EACH
DAY TOTOHE SOURCE OF ALL LIGIG. THIS SIMPLE IDEAEATHE
COMPOUNDING EFFECT CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFEFENCE
IN ALLLLREAS OF YOUR LIFE. IT CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE
TWEEN STRUGGLING BEBEG IMMENSELY SUCCESSFSF R AND FILLING G E MEASURE
OF YOUR R EATION. I know that my Redeemer r ves. Whatatomfort this
sweeeesentence gives! He lives, he lives,
who once wasasead. He lives, my ever-living Head. He lives to bless
me w wh his love. lives to plead for me above. He lives my hungry soul to feed. He lives to bless
in time of need. He lives to grant
me rich supply. He lives to guide
me with his eye. He lives to comfort
me when faint. He lives to hear my
soul's complaint. He lives to silence
all my fears. He lives to wipe away my tears. He lives to calm
my troubled heart. He lives all
blessings to impart. He lives, my kind,
wise heav'nly Friend. He lives and loves
me to the end. He lives, and while
he lives, I'll sing. He lives, my Prophet,
Priest, and King. He lives and grants
me daily breath. He lives, and I
shall conquer death. He lives my mansion to prepare. He lives to bring
me safely there. He lives! All glory to his name! He lives, my Savior,
still the same. Oh, sweet the joy
this sentence gives: "I know that my Redeemer lives!" He lives! All glory to his name! He lives, my Savior,
still the same. Oh, sweet the joy
this sentence gives: "I know that my Redeemer lives!" <i> WE KNOW WHERE
THEY'VE TAKEN HER.</i> LEAR. SHHHH! WE'RE HERE
TO SAVE THE PRINCESS. BUT THE PRINCESS
IS SLEEPING. SORRY. <i> IMAGINE WHAT A LITTLE TIME
CAN DO FOR YOUR FAMILY.</i> SHHHH! THE PRINCESS
IS SLEEPING. OH, SORRY! EXCUSE US. SHHH-SHH! PAOLA... SÍ, MAMA? VEN ACA, POR FAVOR. <i> I DON'T KNOW
HOW MY MOM KNEW.</i> <i> BUT I GUESS MOMS
ALWAYS KNOW.</i> <i> I WASN'T BEING VERY NICE TO
ONE OF THE GIRLS AT SCHOOL.</i> <i> I KNEW IT WAS WRONG.</i> <i> I KNEW I WASN'T
SUPPOSED TO BE MEAN.</i> <i> I GUESS I DIDN'T THINK
IT WAS A BIG DEAL.</i> <i> BUT IN ONE SENTENCE
MY MOM HELPED ME UNDERSTAND.</i> <i> SHE SAID, "MI HIJA, YOU
NEED TO TREAT OTHERS</i> <i> "THE WAY YOU WANT
TO BE TREATED."</i> <i> I THOUGHT ABOUT
THAT A LOT.</i> <i> I STILL DO.</i> <i> LIFE'S MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS
ARE BEST LEARNED IN THE HOME.</i> HEY DAD, CAN YOU COME OUT
AND SHOOT SOME HOOPS WITH ME? SORRY,
I CAN'T RIGHT NOW. DAD, STUDIES SHOW
THAT BY THE TIME I'M 12 I CAN BE INFLUENCED BY FRIENDS
MORE THAN PARENTS. YOU KNOW BILLY? HE'S A PRETTY GOOD KID
MOST THE TIME. BUT DO YOU REALLY WANT HIM
INFLUENCING ME MORE THAN YOU? BILLY-- SPOT YOU THREE POINTS. <i>GIVE YOUR FAMILY EVERYTHING,
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.</i> WHY DON'T WE ALL GO
ROLLER BLADING TONIGHT? UH, NOT TONIGHT HONEY. MOM, SPENDING TIME
WITH ME NOW MEANS HAVING A BETTER CHANCE
OF BEING CLOSE TO ME
WHEN I'M A TEENAGER. HOW ARE YOU GOING
TO DEAL WITH THAT
IF WE'RE NOT CLOSE? <i> GIVE YOUR FAMILY EVERYTHING,
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.</i> On June 14, 1989, the
government of Ghana banned LDS Church
meetings and sent police to lock down meetinghouses. For the next 18
months, Church members were left to keep the
Sabbath without being able to go to church. The freeze actually taught
me to know and to understand how important the Sabbath
is to God's children and to His Church. At times we take
things for granted when we're meeting
every Sabbath. We were taking
things for granted. But when the freeze
came, we couldn't meet as brothers and sisters. We didn't know
what to do until we heard a message
from the Brethren that we can organize
our sacrament meetings in our various homes. During the freeze our living
room became the sacrament hall. I prepared the sacrament and
blessed it to my young family. In a way, that was who
sanctified our homes as we sat and sang and
blessed the bread and water. The Spirit of the
Lord was strong. During those times after
every sacrament meeting, we had to visit with other
Church members to hug them, to keep their faith,
to encourage them. Our home teacher came to us and
told us that every Sunday he would come and pick us up
from his home, to his home, so we can organize our
sacrament meeting there. If this brother could see
the importance of the Sabbath and spend all his
time only to ensure that the Sabbath
is observed, then I need to follow his good example. I want to keep the Sabbath holy. The Lord says that this
really shows the relationship that we have, I think. If we don't respect
His day, I don't know how to give my respect to Him. Life just didn't start at birth. We lived spiritually
with our Heavenly Father. We knew that there was more, and
He told us about His plan--that He did have more
prepared for us, but it would mean that we had
to choose to come to this earth and have some hard experiences. Jesus Christ volunteered to
help make the plan of salvation possible, and He knew
that we would need someone to help us get back
to Heavenly Father, that we couldn't
do it on our own. And we chose that we would
accept it and come down to earth and be part of
this earthly existence. Why does life have
to be so hard? Well, we're here
to learn, right? How will we understand
the difference if we don't experience the
difficult and the hardness? How will we know
happiness if we don't experience pain and sadness? So Heavenly Father has very
carefully put those opposites together to grow
us and to teach us and to expand us and evolve
us as spiritual beings. I think for those
that are struggling, there is always hope, and
there always will be hope. Through those struggles
that we have in life, through those challenges,
we are able to draw nearer to our Heavenly Father
if we choose to, if we want to do that. And we're able to find
peace with our Savior if we want to find peace. I was eight years
old when Mum died, and probably not
realizing it at the time, but I think that started for me
a lifelong pursuit of finding out about her, where
she is, and where I need to be to be with her. I found out that
she's still alive. Mum, right now, lives
in the spirit world, and I found that out for myself. But I found out, too, that I
could qualify to see her again. And so that's been a driving
force in my life--my entire life. There is absolutely
life after death. It's not something you can
see, but it's something that you can feel. And that also comes with
knowledge and through study of the scriptures. I lost my wife four
years ago, and so that motivates me to keep on
the straight and narrow path so that I can be with my wife
again in this life hereafter. After death I do believe
that we will be perfected. I told my husband many
years ago that he'll be able to sing in tune after. And for myself, because I
have the pancreatic cancer, the breast cancer, I have
damaged discs in my lower spine--each day that I
live here on the earth, with faith and hope in
Heavenly Father's blessings, I am actually working
toward the fact that I know, after this life, I'll be able
to throw this crutch away and I'll be running marathons
and I will be perfected, as we all will be. Because I know
that there is more, and that there is a Heavenly
Father that has a plan, and who knew that these
things would happen but loved us enough
to send us here, I think it makes anything
you go through bearable. And I think having
that knowledge also makes you more loving
of people around you and wanting to help them to
get through their hard times, too, so that they know
there's more than what's happening right now,
but that there's eternal happiness ahead. Essential to the
plan of salvation is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without His atoning
sacrifice, all would be lost. It is not enough,
however, merely to believe in Him and His mission. We need to work and learn,
search and pray, repent and improve. We need to know God's
laws and live them. We need to receive
His saving ordinances. Only by doing so will we
obtain true, eternal happiness. [MUSIC PLAYING] Life's personal trials stretch
far beyond this pandemic. Future trials could
result from an accident, a natural disaster, or an
unexpected personal heartache. How can we endure such trials? The Lord has told us
that "if ye are prepared, you shall not fear." Of course, we can
store our own reserves of food, water, and savings. But equally crucial
is our need to fill our personal spiritual
storehouses with faith, truth, and testimony. Our ultimate quest in life is
to prepare to meet our Maker. We do this by striving
daily to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. And we do that as we
repent daily and receive His cleansing, healing,
and strengthening power. Then, we can feel
enduring peace and joy, even during turbulent times. This is exactly why
the Lord has implored us to stand in holy
places and be not moved. I know that God,
our Heavenly Father, and his son, Jesus
Christ, are mindful of us. We are to seek, in
every way we can, to hear Jesus Christ,
who speaks to us through the power and
ministering of the Holy Ghost. Because when we seek
to truly hear His Son, we will be guided to know what
to do in any circumstance. >> LLOYD NEWELL: FROM THE CONFERENCE CENTER THEATER IN SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, THIS IS THE SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION OF THE 191ST ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, WITH SPEAKERS SELECTED FROM THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES AND GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH. MUSIC FOR THIS SESSION IS PROVIDED BY THE TABERNACLE CHOIR AT TEMPLE SQUARE FROM PREVIOUS GENERAL CONFERENCES. THIS BROADCAST IS FURNISHED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE BY BONNEVILLE DISTRIBUTION. ANY REPRODUCTION, RECORDING, TRANSCRIPTION OR OTHER USE OF THIS PROGRAM WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT IS PROHIBITED. PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING, SECOND COUNSELOR IN THE FIRST PRESIDENCY OF THE CHURCH, WILL CONDUCT THIS SESSION. >> PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING: BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WE WELCOME YOU TO THE SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION OF THE 191ST ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON, WHO PRESIDES AT THE CONFERENCE, HAS ASKED ME TO CONDUCT THIS SESSION. WE EXTEND OUR GREETINGS TO MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH AND FRIENDS EVERYWHERE WHO ARE PARTICIPATING BY MEANS OF TELEVISION, RADIO, OR THE INTERNET. THE MUSIC FOR THIS SESSION, WHICH HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECORDED, WILL BE BY THE TABERNACLE CHOIR AT TEMPLE SQUARE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MACK WILBERG AND RYAN MURPHY WITH VARIOUS ORGANISTS. THE CHOIR WILL NOW FAVOR US WITH “GUIDE US, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH.” THE INVOCATION WILL THEN BE OFFERED BY ELDER CARL B. COOK OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE SEVENTY. ♪♪ ♪ GUIDE US, O THOU
GREAT JEHOVAH, ♪ ♪ GUIDE US
TO THE PROMISED LAND. ♪ ♪ WE ARE WEAK,
BUT THOU ART ABLE; ♪ ♪ HOLD US WITH
THY POW'RFUL HAND. ♪ ♪ HOLY SPIRIT, ♪ ♪ HOLY SPIRIT, ♪ ♪ FEED US
'TILL THE SAVIOR COMES, ♪ ♪ FEED US
'TILL THE SAVIOR COMES. ♪ ♪ OPEN, JESUS,
ZION'S FOUNTAINS; ♪ ♪ LET HER RICHEST
BLESSINGS COME. ♪ ♪ LET THE FIERY,
CLOUDY PILLAR ♪ ♪ GUARD US
TO THIS HOLY HOME. ♪ ♪ GREAT REDEEMER, ♪ ♪ GREAT REDEEMER, ♪ ♪ BRING, OH, BRING
THE WELCOME DAY! ♪ ♪ BRING, OH, BRING
THE WELCOME DAY! ♪ ♪♪ ♪ WHEN THE EARTH
BEGINS TO TREMBLE, ♪ ♪ BID OUR FEARFUL
THOUGHTS BE STILL; ♪ ♪ WHEN THY JUDGMENTS
SPREAD DESTRUCTION, ♪ ♪ KEEP US SAFE
ON ZION'S HILL, ♪ ♪ SINGING PRAISES, ♪ ♪ SINGING PRAISES, ♪ ♪ SONGS OF GLORY
UNTO THEE. ♪ ♪ SONGS OF GLORY
UNTO THEE. ♪ ♪ SINGING PRAISES, ♪ ♪ SINGING PRAISES, ♪ ♪ SONGS OF GLORY
UNTO THEE. ♪ ♪ SONGS OF GLORY
UNTO THEE. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ UNTO THEE! ♪♪ >> ELDER CARL B. COOK: OUR DEAR FATHER IN HEAVEN, HUMBLY WE BOW OUR HEADS AND THANK THEE FOR ALL OF OUR BLESSINGS, INCLUDING BEING GATHERED FOR THIS SESSION OF GENERAL CONFERENCE. WE ARE SUPREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THEE FOR THY SON, JESUS CHRIST, AND HIS ATONEMENT. WE ARE ALSO GRATEFUL FOR PROPHETS AND APOSTLES TO LEAD AND GUIDE US IN THESE UNSETTLED TIMES. WE PRAY FOR THOSE IN NEED, PLEASE BLESS THEM. AND HELP US TO WATCH OVER AND CARE FOR 1 ANOTHER. PLEASE BLESS THOSE WHO WILL SPEAK TO US TODAY. AND OPEN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE INSPIRATION. WE LOVE THEE, AND WE INVITE THY SPIRIT TO BE WITH US IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING: PRESIDENT DALLIN H. OAKS WILL NOW PRESENT THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES, AREA SEVENTIES, AND GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH FOR SUSTAINING VOTE. AFTER WHICH, JARED B. LARSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE CHURCH AUDITING DEPARTMENT, WILL READ THE ANNUAL REPORT. PRESIDENT OAKS. >> PRESIDENT DALLIN H. OAKS: BROTHERS AND SISTERS, I WILL NOW PRESENT THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES, AREA SEVENTIES, AND GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH FOR YOUR SUSTAINING VOTE. PLEASE EXPRESS YOUR VOTE IN THE USUAL WAY WHEREVER YOU MAY BE. IF THERE ARE THOSE WHO OPPOSE ANY OF THE PROPOSALS, WE ASK THAT YOU CONTACT YOUR STAKE PRESIDENT. IT IS PROPOSED THAT WE SUSTAIN RUSSELL MARION NELSON AS PROPHET, SEER, AND REVELATOR AND PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS; DALLIN HARRIS OAKS AS FIRST COUNSELOR IN THE FIRST PRESIDENCY; AND HENRY BENNION EYRING AS SECOND COUNSELOR IN THE FIRST PRESIDENCY. THOSE IN FAVOR MAY MANIFEST IT. THOSE OPPOSED, IF ANY, MAY MANIFEST IT. IT IS PROPOSED THAT WE SUSTAIN DALLIN H. OAKS AS PRESIDENT OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES, AND M. RUSSELL BALLARD AS ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES. THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SIGNIFY. ANY OPPOSED MAY MANIFEST IT. IT IS PROPOSED THAT WE SUSTAIN THE FOLLOWING AS MEMBERS OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES: M. RUSSELL BALLARD JEFFREY R. HOLLAND DIETER F. UCHTDORF DAVID A. BEDNAR QUENTIN L. COOK D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON NEIL L. ANDERSEN RONALD A. RASBAND GARY E. STEVENSON DALE G. RENLUND GERRIT W. GONG AND ULISSES SOARES. THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE MANIFEST IT. ANY OPPOSED, MAY SO INDICATE. IT IS PROPOSED THAT WE SUSTAIN THE COUNSELORS IN THE FIRST PRESIDENCY AND THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES AS PROPHETS, SEERS, AND REVELATORS. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE MANIFEST IT. CONTRARY, IF THERE BE ANY, BY THE SAME SIGN. AS A MATTER OF INFORMATION, ELDERS ROBERT C. GAY AND TERENCE M. VINSON WILL BE RELEASED FROM THEIR SERVICE AS MEMBERS OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE SEVENTY, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2021. WE HAVE RELEASED THE PRIMARY GENERAL PRESIDENCY AS FOLLOWS: JOY D. JONES AS PRESIDENT, LISA L. HARKNESS AS FIRST COUNSELOR, AND CRISTINA B. FRANCO AS SECOND COUNSELOR. ALL WHO WISH TO JOIN US IN EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THESE SISTERS FOR THEIR DEVOTED SERVICE, PLEASE MANIFEST IT. IT IS PROPOSED THAT WE SUSTAIN ELDERS PAUL V. JOHNSON AND S. MARK PALMER TO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE SEVENTY, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2021. THOSE IN FAVOR MAY MANIFEST IT. ANY OPPOSED BY THE SAME SIGN. IT IS PROPOSED THAT WE SUSTAIN THE FOLLOWING AS GENERAL AUTHORITY SEVENTIES: SEAN DOUGLAS MICHAEL A. DUNN CLARK G. GILBERT PATRICIO M. GIUFFRA ALFRED KYUNGU ALVIN F. “TRIP” MEREDITH CARLOS G. REVILLO JR. AND VAIANGINA SIKAHEMA ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE MANIFEST IT. THOSE OPPOSED, BY THE SAME SIGN. IT IS PROPOSED THAT WE SUSTAIN THE NEW AREA SEVENTIES AS ANNOUNCED BY THE CHURCH EARLIER THIS WEEK. THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE MANIFEST IT. ANY OPPOSED, BY THE SAME SIGN. IT IS PROPOSED THAT WE SUSTAIN AS THE NEW PRIMARY GENERAL PRESIDENCY, CAMILLE N. JOHNSON AS PRESIDENT, SUSAN ELIZABETH PORTER AS FIRST COUNSELOR, AND AMY EILEEN WRIGHT AS SECOND COUNSELOR. THOSE IN FAVOR MAY MANIFEST IT. ANY OPPOSED MAY SO SIGNIFY. IT IS PROPOSED THAT WE SUSTAIN THE OTHER GENERAL AUTHORITIES, AREA SEVENTIES, AND GENERAL OFFICERS AS PRESENTLY CONSTITUTED. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE MANIFEST IT. THOSE OPPOSED, IF ANY. AGAIN, THOSE WHO OPPOSE ANY OF THE PROPOSALS ARE INVITED TO CONTACT THEIR STAKE PRESIDENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED FAITH AND PRAYERS IN BEHALF OF THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH. AS ANNOUNCED, JARED B. LARSON WILL READ THE CHURCH AUDIT REPORT FOR 2020. >> JARED B. LARSON: TO THE FIRST PRESIDENCY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS DEAR BRETHREN, DIRECTED BY REVELATION, AS RECORDED IN SECTION 120 OF THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS, THE COUNCIL ON THE DISPOSITION OF THE TITHES, COMPOSED OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY, THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES, AND THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC, AUTHORIZES THE EXPENDITURE OF CHURCH FUNDS. CHURCH ENTITIES DISBURSE FUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPROVED BUDGETS, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES. CHURCH AUDITING, WHICH CONSISTS OF CREDENTIALED PROFESSIONALS AND IS INDEPENDENT OF ALL OTHER CHURCH DEPARTMENTS AND ENTITIES, HAS RESPONSIBILITY TO PERFORM AUDITS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING REASONABLE ASSURANCE REGARDING CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED, EXPENDITURES MADE, AND SAFEGUARDING OF CHURCH ASSETS. BASED UPON AUDITS PERFORMED, CHURCH AUDITING IS OF THE OPINION THAT, IN ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS, CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED, EXPENDITURES MADE, AND ASSETS OF THE CHURCH FOR THE YEAR 2020 HAVE BEEN RECORDED AND ADMINISTERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPROVED CHURCH BUDGETS, POLICIES, AND ACCOUNTING PRACTICES. THE CHURCH FOLLOWS THE PRACTICES TAUGHT TO ITS MEMBERS OF LIVING WITHIN A BUDGET, AVOIDING DEBT, AND SAVING AGAINST A TIME OF NEED. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, CHURCH AUDITING DEPARTMENT JARED B. LARSON MANAGING DIRECTOR >> PRESIDENT EYRING: THE CHOIR WILL NOW FAVOR US WITH “IF I LISTEN WITH MY HEART.” AFTER THE SINGING, WE WILL BE PLEASED TO HEAR FROM ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES. WE WILL THEN VIEW A PREVIOUSLY RECORDED MESSAGE FROM ELDER JORGE T. BECERRA OF THE SEVENTY, WHO IS SERVING IN THE SOUTH AMERICA NORTHWEST AREA PRESIDENCY. ELDER DALE G. RENLUND OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES, WILL THEN ADDRESS US. ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ IF I HAD BEEN A LITTLE CHILD
WHEN JESUS LIVED ON EARTH ♪ ♪ I WOULD HAVE LIKE TO WALK WITH
HIM AND LISTEN TO HIS WORDS. ♪ ♪ BUT AS I SEARCH TE SCRIPTURES
I CAN HEAR HIS WORDS OF PEACE, ♪ ♪ BUT AS I SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES
I CAN HEAR HIS WORDS OF PEACE, ♪ ♪ AND IF I LISTEN WITH MY HEART
I HEAR THE SAVIOR'S VOICE. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I HEAR A LIVING
PROPHET SPEAK ♪ ♪ THE THINGS THAT
CHRIST WOULD SAY ♪ ♪ IF HE WERE HERE UPON THE
EARTH TO TALK WITH ME TODAY ♪ ♪ THE PROPHET TEACHES
HOW TO LIVE ♪ ♪ IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
AND PEACE, ♪ ♪ AND IF I LISTEN WITH MY HEART
I HEAR THE SAVIOR'S VOICE ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I FEEL THE HOLY SPIRIT
AS HE TEACHES TRUTH AND RIGHT ♪ ♪ HE COMFORTS ME IN TIMES OF
NEED HE TESTIFIES OF CHRIST ♪ ♪ HE SPEAKS TO ME IN QUIET WAYS
THAT FILL MY SOUL WITH PEACE ♪ ♪ AND IF I LISTEN WITH MY HEART
I HEAR THE SAVIOR'S VOICE ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ AND IF I LISTEN WITH MY HEART
I HEAR THE SAVIOR'S VOICE ♪♪ ♪♪ >> ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND: PRIOR TO THAT FIRST EASTER, AS JESUS CONCLUDED THE NEW SACRAMENTAL ORDINANCE THAT HE HAD ADMINISTERED TO THE TWELVE, HE BEGAN HIS MAJESTIC FAREWELL DISCOURSE AND MOVED TOWARD GETHSEMANE, BETRAYAL, AND CRUCIFIXION. HOWEVER, SENSING THE CONCERN AND PERHAPS EVEN OUTRIGHT FEAR SOME OF THOSE MEN MUST HAVE EXHIBITED, HE SAID THIS TO THEM (AND TO US): "LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED: YE BELIEVE IN GOD, BELIEVE ALSO IN ME. ... I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU COMFORTLESS: I WILL COME TO YOU. ... PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU, MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU: NOT AS THE WORLD GIVETH, GIVE I UNTO YOU. LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID." CHALLENGING TIMES COME TO THOSE IN THIS MORTAL WORLD, INCLUDING TO THE FAITHFUL, BUT THE REASSURING MESSAGE OF CHRIST IS THAT ALTHOUGH HE, THE PASCHAL LAMB, WOULD GO LIKE "A SHEEP BEFORE [ITS] SHEARERS," HE WOULD NEVERTHELESS RISE, AS THE PSALMIST SAID, TO BE "OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, [OUR] VERY PRESENT HELP IN [TIMES OF] TROUBLE." REALIZING WHAT DIFFICULT HOURS LAY AHEAD FOR CHRIST AS HE MOVED TOWARD THE CROSS AND FOR HIS DISCIPLES AS THEY WOULD TAKE HIS GOSPEL TO THE WORLD IN THE MERIDIAN OF TIME, GO WITH ME NOW TO A RELATED MESSAGE FOR MEMBERS OF THE SAVIOR'S CHURCH IN THE LATTER DAYS. IT LIES IN THE STAGGERING NUMBER OF VERSES IN THE BOOK OF MORMON DEVOTED TO CONFLICT OF ONE KIND OR ANOTHER, FROM LAMAN AND LEMUEL'S ETERNALLY ANNOYING BEHAVIOR UP TO FINAL BATTLES INVOLVING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS. ONE OF THE OBVIOUS REASONS FOR THIS EMPHASIS IS THAT INASMUCH AS THE BOOK OF MORMON WAS WRITTEN FOR A LATTER-DAY AUDIENCE, THESE AUTHORS--WHO EXPERIENCED SO MUCH OF WAR THEMSELVES--PROPHETICALLY WARN US THAT VIOLENCE AND CONFLICT WILL BE A SIGNATURE CHARACTERISTIC OF RELATIONSHIPS IN THE LAST DAYS. OF COURSE, MY THEORY ABOUT LATTER-DAY CONTENTION ISN'T VERY ORIGINAL. 2,000 YEARS AGO, THE SAVIOR WARNED THAT IN THE LAST DAYS THERE WOULD BE "WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS," LATER SAYING THAT "PEACE [WOULD] BE TAKEN FROM THE EARTH." SURELY THIS PRINCE OF PEACE, WHO TAUGHT EMPHATICALLY THAT CONTENTION IS OF THE DEVIL, MUST WEEP ALONG WITH HIS DIVINE FATHER OVER THOSE IN THE HUMAN FAMILY IN OUR DAY WHO ARE "WITHOUT AFFECTION," THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, AND CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO LIVE TOGETHER IN LOVE. BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WE DO SEE TOO MUCH CONFLICT, ANGER, AND GENERAL INCIVILITY AROUND US. FORTUNATELY, THE CURRENT GENERATION HAS NOT HAD A THIRD WORLD WAR TO FIGHT, NOR HAVE WE EXPERIENCED A GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRASH LIKE THE ONE IN 1929 LEADING TO A GREAT DEPRESSION. WE ARE, HOWEVER, FACING A KIND OF THIRD WORLD WAR THAT IS NOT A FIGHT TO CRUSH OUR ENEMIES BUT A CONSCRIPTION MARSHALING THE CHILDREN OF GOD TO CARE MORE ABOUT EACH OTHER AND TO HELP HEAL THE WOUNDS WE FIND IN A WORLD SO CONFLICTED. THE GREAT DEPRESSION WE NOW FACE HAS LESS TO DO WITH THE EXTERNAL LOSS OF OUR SAVINGS AND MORE TO DO WITH THE INTERNAL LOSS OF OUR SELF-CONFIDENCE, WITH REAL DEFICITS OF FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY ALL AROUND US. BUT THE INSTRUMENTS WE NEED TO CREATE A BRIGHTER DAY AND GROW AN ECONOMY OF GENUINE GOODNESS IN SOCIETY ARE ABUNDANTLY PROVIDED FOR IN THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. WE CANNOT AFFORD--THE WORLD CANNOT AFFORD--OUR FAILURE TO PUT THESE GOSPEL CONCEPTS AND FORTIFYING COVENANTS TO FULL USE PERSONALLY AND PUBLICLY. SO, IN A WORLD "TOSSED WITH TEMPEST, AND NOT COMFORTED," AS JEHOVAH SAID IT WOULD BE, HOW DO WE FIND WHAT HE CALLED THE "COVENANT OF PEACE"? WE FIND IT BY TURNING TO HIM, WHO SAID HE WOULD HAVE MERCY ON US AND, "WITH EVERLASTING KINDNESS" AND WOULD GRANT PEACE TO OUR CHILDREN. IN SPITE OF FRIGHTFUL PROPHECIES AND UNSETTLING SCRIPTURES DECLARING THAT PEACE WILL BE TAKEN FROM THE EARTH GENERALLY, THE PROPHETS, INCLUDING OUR OWN BELOVED RUSSELL M. NELSON, HAVE TAUGHT THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE TAKEN FROM US INDIVIDUALLY! SO THIS EASTER, LET'S TRY TO PRACTICE PEACE IN A PERSONAL WAY, APPLYING THE GRACE AND HEALING BALM OF THE ATONEMENT OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TO OURSELVES AND THOSE AROUND US. FORTUNATELY, EVEN ASTONISHINGLY, THIS SOOTHING SALVE IS MADE AVAILABLE TO US "WITHOUT MONEY AND WITHOUT PRICE." SUCH HELP AND HOPE IS DEARLY NEEDED BECAUSE IN THIS WORLDWIDE CONGREGATI TODAY ARE MANY WHO STRUGGLE WITH ANY NUMBER OF CHALLENGES--PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL OR FINANCIAL, OR A DOZEN OTHER KINDS OF TROUBLE. BUT MANY OF THESE WE ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO ADDRESS IN AND OF OURSELVES, FOR THE HELP AND PEACE WE NEED IS NOT THE KIND "THE WORLD GIVETH." NO, FOR THE DIFFICULT PROBLEMS WE NEED WHAT THE SCRIPTURES CALL "THE POWERS OF HEAVEN"; AND TO ACCESS THESE POWERS WE MUST LIVE BY WHAT THOSE SAME SCRIPTURES CALL "PRINCIPLES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS." NOW UNDERSTANDING THAT CONNECTION BETWEEN PRINCIPLE AND POWER IS THE ONE LESSON THE HUMAN FAMILY NEVER SEEMS ABLE TO LEARN, SO SAYS THE GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH! AND WHAT ARE THOSE PRINCIPLES? WELL, THEY ARE LISTED REPEATEDLY IN SCRIPTURE. THEY ARE TAUGHT AGAIN AND AGAIN IN CONFERENCES LIKE THIS. AND IN OUR DISPENSATION, THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH TAUGHT THEM IN RESPONSE TO HIS OWN VERSION OF THE CRY "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?" IN THE COLD, UNCARING CONFINEMENT OF LIBERTY JAIL, HE WAS TAUGHT THAT THE PRINCIPLES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS INCLUDED SUCH VIRTUES AS PATIENCE, "LONG-SUFFERING, ... GENTLENESS... , AND ... LOVE UNFEIGNED." ABSENT THOSE PRINCIPLES IT WAS CERTAIN WE WOULD EVENTUALLY FACE DISCORD AND ENMITY. IN THAT REGARD, MAY I SPEAK CANDIDLY ABOUT THE ABSENCE IN SOME QUARTERS OF THESE PRINCIPLES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN OUR TIME? AS A RULE, I AM AN UPBEAT, HAPPY TYPE INDIVIDUAL. THERE IS SO MUCH THAT IS GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL IN OUR WORLD. WE HAVE MORE MATERIAL BLESSINGS THAN ANY GENERATION IN HISTORY. BUT IN 21ST-CENTURY CULTURE GENERALLY AND TOO OFTEN IN THE CHURCH, WE STILL SEE LIVES THAT ARE IN TROUBLE, WITH COMPROMISES RESULTING IN TOO MANY BROKEN COVENANTS AND TOO MANY BROKEN HEARTS. CONSIDER THE COARSE LANGUAGE THAT PARALLELS SEXUAL TRANSGRESSION, BOTH OF WHICH ARE SO OMNIPRESENT IN MOVIES OR ON TELEVISION. OR NOTE THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND OTHER FORMS OF IMPROPRIETY WE READ SO MUCH ABOUT IN THE WORKPLACE. IN MATTERS OF COVENANTAL PURITY, THE SACRED IS TOO OFTEN BEING MADE COMMON AND THE HOLY IS TOO OFTEN BEING MADE PROFANE. TO ANY WHO ARE TEMPTED TO WALK OR TALK OR BEHAVE IN THESE SAYS, "AS THE WORLD GIVETH," SO TO SPEAK, DON'T EXPECT THAT TO LEAD TO PEACEFUL EXPERIENCE; I PROMISE YOU IN THE NAME OF THE LORD IT WON'T. "WICKEDNESS NEVER WAS HAPPINESS," AN ANCIENT PROPHET ONCE SAID. WHEN THE DANCE IS OVER, THE PIPER MUST ALWAYS BE PAID, AND MOST OFTEN IT IS IN A CURRENCY OF TEARS AND REGRET. OR PERHAPS WE SEE OTHER FORMS OF ABUSE OR INDIGNITY. HOW DOUBLY CAREFUL WE HAVE TO BE AS DISCIPLES OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST NOT TO FALL VICTIM TO ANY SUCH BEHAVIOR. IN NO CASE ARE WE TO BE GUILTY OF ANY FORM OF ABUSE OR UNRIGHTEOUS DOMINION OR ANY FORM OF ABUSE OR IMMORAL COERCION--NOT PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, ECCLESIASTICAL, OR ANY OTHER KIND. I REMEMBER FEELING THE FERVOR OF PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN HE SPOKE TO THE MEN OF THE CHURCH REGARDING THOSE HE CALLED "TYRANTS IN THEIR OWN HOMES": "HOW TRAGIC AND UTTERLY DISGUSTING A PHENOMENON IS WIFE ABUSE," HE SAID. "ANY MAN IN THIS CHURCH WHO ABUSES HIS WIFE, WHO DEMEANS HER, WHO INSULTS HER, WHO EXERCISES UNRIGHTEOUS DOMINION OVER HER IS UNWORTHY TO HOLD THE PRIESTHOOD. ... [HE] IS UNWORTHY TO HOLD A TEMPLE RECOMMEND." EQUALLY DESPICABLE, HE SAID, WAS ANY FORM OF CHILD ABUSE. OR ANY OTHER ABUSE. IN TOO MANY CIRCUMSTANCES FAITHFUL MEN, WOMEN, AND EVEN CHILDREN CAN BE GUILTY OF SPEAKING UNKINDLY, EVEN DESTRUCTIVELY, TO THOSE TO WHOM THEY MAY WELL BE SEALED BY A HOLY ORDINANCE IN THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD. EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO BE LOVED, FEEL PEACEFUL, AND FIND SAFETY AT HOME. PLEASE, MAY WE TRY TO MAINTAIN THAT ENVIRONMENT THERE. THE PROMISE OF BEING THAT KIND OF PEACEMAKER IS THAT YOU WILL HAVE THE HOLY GHOST FOR YOUR CONSTANT COMPANION, AND BLESSINGS WILL FLOW TO YOU "WITHOUT COMPULSORY MEANS ... FOREVER." NO ONE CAN EMPLOY A SHARP TONGUE OR UNKIND WORDS AND STILL SING ON TUNE "THE SONG OF REDEEMING LOVE." MAY I CLOSE WHERE I BEGAN. TOMORROW IS EASTER, A TIME FOR THE RIGHTEOUS PRINCIPLES OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS ATONEMENT TO "PASS OVER" CONFLICT AND CONTENTION, OVER DESPAIR AND TRANSGRESSION, AND ULTIMATELY OVER DEATH. IT IS A TIME TO PLEDGE TOTAL LOYALTY IN WORD AND DEED TO THE LAMB OF GOD, WHO "[BORE] OUR GRIEFS, AND CARRIED OUR SORROWS" IN HIS DETERMINATION TO FINISH THE WORK OF SALVATION IN OUR BEHALF. IN SPITE OF BETRAYAL AND PAIN, MISTREATMENT AND CRUELTY, AND BEARING ALL THE ACCUMULATED SINS OF ALL THE HUMAN FAMILY, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD LOOKED DOWN THE LONG PATH OF MORTALITY, SAW US THIS WEEKEND AND SAID: "PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU, MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU: NOT AS THE WORLD GIVETH, GIVE I UNTO YOU. LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID." HAVE A BLESSED, JOYFUL, PEACEFUL EASTER. ITS UNTOLD POSSIBILITIES HAVE ALREADY BEEN PAID FOR BY THE PRINCE OF PEACE, WHOM I LOVE WITH ALL MY HEART, WHOSE CHURCH THIS IS, AND OF WHOM I BEAR UNEQUIVCOL WITNESS, EVEN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> ELDER JORGE T. BECERRA: AS A BOY I REMEMBER DRIVING IN THE CAR WITH MY FATHER AND SEEING INDIVIDUALS ON THE ROADSIDE WHO HAD FOUND THEMSELVES IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES OR WHO NEEDED HELP. MY FATHER WOULD ALWAYS MAKE THE COMMENT "POBRECITO," WHICH MEANS "POOR LITTLE ONE." ON OCCASION, I WATCHED WITH INTEREST AS MY FATHER WOULD HELP MANY OF THESE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE WOULD TRAVEL TO MEXICO TO SEE MY GRANDPARENTS. HE WOULD TYPICALLY FIND SOMEONE IN NEED AND THEN GO PRIVATELY AND PROVIDE THE HELP THEY NEEDED. I LATER DISCOVERED THAT HE WAS HELPING THEM ENROLL IN SCHOOL, BUY SOME FOOD, OR PROVIDE IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER FOR THEIR WELL-BEING. HE WAS MINISTERING TO A "POOR LITTLE ONE" THAT CAME ACROSS HIS PATH. IN FACT, IN MY GROWING UP YEARS I CANNOT REMEMBER A TIME WHEN WE DID NOT HAVE SOMEONE LIVING WITH US WHO NEEDED A PLACE TO STAY AS THEY BECAME SELF-RELIANT. WATCHING THESE EXPERIENCES CREATED A SPIRIT OF COMPASSION TOWARD MY FELLOW MAN AND FOR THOSE IN NEED. IN "PREACH MY GOSPEL" IT STATES, "YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE. YOU PASS THEM ON THE STREET, VISIT THEM IN THEIR HOMES, AND TRAVEL AMONG THEM. THEY ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD, YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. ... MANY OF THESE PEOPLE ARE SEARCHING FOR PURPOSE IN LIFE. THEY ARE CONCERNED FOR THEIR FUTURE AND THEIR FAMILIES." THROUGHOUT THE YEARS IN SERVING IN THE CHURCH, I HAVE TRIED TO SEEK AFTER THOSE WHO NEEDED HELP IN THEIR LIVES BOTH TEMPORALLY AND SPIRITUALLY. I WOULD OFTEN HEAR THE VOICE OF MY FATHER SAYING "POBRECITO," POOR LITTLE ONE. IN THE BIBLE WE FIND A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF CARING FOR A POOR LITTLE ONE. "NOW PETER AND JOHN WENT UP TOGETHER TO THE TEMPLE AT THE HOUR OF PRAYER, BEING THE NINTH HOUR. AND A CERTAIN MAN LAME FROM HIS MOTHER'S WOMB WAS CARRIED, WHOM THEY LAID DAILY AT THE GATE OF THE TEMPLE WHICH IS CALLED BEAUTIFUL, TO ASK ALMS OF THEM THAT ENTERED INTO THE TEMPLE; WHO SEEING PETER AND JOHN ABOUT TO GO INTO THE TEMPLE ASKED AN ALMS. AND PETER, FASTENING HIS EYES UPON HIM WITH JOHN, SAID, LOOK ON US. AND HE GAVE HEED UNTO THEM, EXPECTING TO RECEIVE SOMETHING OF THEM. "THEN PETER SAID, SILVER AND GOLD HAVE I NONE; BUT SUCH AS I HAVE GIVE I THEE: IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH RISE UP AND WALK. AND HE TOOK HIM BY THE RIGHT HAND, AND LIFTED HIM UP: AND IMMEDIATELY HIS FEET AND ANKLE BONES RECEIVED STRENGTH." IN READING THIS ACCOUNT, I WAS INTRIGUED BY THE USE OF THE WORD "FASTENING." THE WORD "FASTENING" MEANS "TO DIRECT ONE'S EYES, THOUGHTS, OR LOOK INTENTLY AT." AS PETER LOOKED AT THIS MAN, HE SAW HIM DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHERS. HE LOOKED PAST HIS INABILITY TO WALK AND WEAKNESSES AND COULD DISCERN THAT HIS FAITH WAS ADEQUATE TO BECOME HEALED AND ENTER INTO THE TEMPLE TO RECEIVE THE BLESSINGS HE WAS SEEKING. I NOTICED THAT HE TOOK HIM BY THE RIGHT HAND AND LIFTED HIM UP. AS HE ASSISTED THE MAN IN THIS WAY, THE LORD MIRACULOUSLY HEALED HIM, AND "HIS FEET AND ANKLE BONES RECEIVED STRENGTH." HIS LOVE FOR THIS MAN AND A DESIRE TO HELP HIM CAUSED AN INCREASE OF CAPACITY AND ABILITY IN THE MAN WHO WAS WEAK. WHILE SERVING AS AN AREA SEVENTY, I RESERVED EACH TUESDAY NIGHT TO DO MINISTERING VISITS WITH THE STAKE PRESIDENTS IN MY AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY. I INVITED THEM TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS WITH THOSE WHO WERE IN NEED OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST OR WHO WERE NOT CURRENTLY KEEPING THE COVENANTS THAT THEY HAD MADE. THROUGH OUR CONSISTENT AND INTENTIONAL MINISTERING, THE LORD MAGNIFIED OUR EFFORTS, AND WE WERE ABLE TO FIND INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO WERE IN NEED. THESE WERE THE POOR LITTLE ONES WHO LIVED IN THE DIFFERENT STAKES WHERE WE SERVED. ON ONE OCCASION, I ACCOMPANIED PRESIDENT BILL WHITWORTH, THE PRESIDENT OF THE SANDY CANYON VIEW STAKE, TO DO MINISTERING VISITS. HE WAS PRAYERFUL ABOUT WHOM WE SHOULD VISIT, TRYING TO HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE AS NEPHI, WHO "WAS LED BY THE SPIRIT, NOT KNOWING BEFOREHAND THE THINGS WHICH [HE] SHOULD DO." HE DEMONSTRATED THAT AS WE MINISTER, WE SHOULD BE LED BY REVELATION TO THOSE WHO ARE MOST IN NEED, AS OPPOSED TO JUST GOING DOWN A LIST OR VISITING PEOPLE IN A METHODICAL WAY. WE SHOULD BE LED BY THE POWER OF INSPIRATION. I REMEMBER GOING INTO THE HOME OF A YOUNG COUPLE, JEFF AND HEATHER, AND THEIR LITTLE BOY, KAI. JEFF GREW UP AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE CHURCH. HE WAS A VERY TALENTED ATHLETE AND HAD A PROMISING CAREER. HE BEGAN TO DRIFT AWAY FROM THE CHURCH IN HIS TEENAGE YEARS. LATER, HE GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT, WHICH ALTERED THE COURSE OF HIS LIFE. AS WE ENTERED THEIR HOME AND BECAME ACQUAINTED, JEFF ASKED US WHY WE CAME TO SEE HIS FAMILY. WE RESPONDED THAT THERE WERE ABOUT 3,000 MEMBERS WHO LIVED WITHIN THE STAKE BOUNDARIES. I THEN ASKED HIM, "JEFF, OF ALL THE HOMES WE COULD HAVE VISITED TONIGHT, TELL US WHY THE LORD HAS SENT US HERE." WITH THAT, JEFF BECAME EMOTIONAL AND BEGAN TO SHARE WITH US SOME OF HIS WORRIES AND SOME ISSUES THAT THEY WERE DEALING WITH AS A FAMILY. WE BEGAN TO SHARE VARIOUS PRINCIPLES OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. WE INVITED THEM TO DO A FEW SPECIFIC THINGS THAT MIGHT SEEM TO BE CHALLENGING AT FIRST BUT IN TIME WOULD BRING GREAT HAPPINESS AND JOY. THEN PRESIDENT WHITWORTH GAVE JEFF A PRIESTHOOD BLESSING TO HELP HIM OVERCOME HIS CHALLENGES. JEFF AND HEATHER AGREED TO DO WHAT WE INVITED THEM TO DO. ABOUT A YEAR LATER IT WAS MY PRIVILEGE TO WATCH JEFF BAPTIZE HIS WIFE, HEATHER, A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THEY ARE NOW PREPARING THEMSELVES TO ENTER THE TEMPLE TO BE SEALED AS A FAMILY FOR TIME AND ALL ETERNITY. OUR VISIT ALTERED THE COURSE OF THEIR LIVES BOTH TEMPORALLY AND SPIRITUALLY. THE LORD HAS STATED: "WHEREFORE BE FAITHFUL; STAND IN THE OFFICE WHICH I HAVE APPOINTED UNTO YOU; SUCCOR THE WEAK, LIFT UP THE HANDS WHICH HANG DOWN, AND STRENGTHEN THE FEEBLE KNEES." "AND IN DOING THESE THINGS THOU WILT DO THE GREATEST GOOD UNTO THY FELLOW BEINGS, AND WILT PROMOTE THE GLORY OF HIM WHO IS YOUR LORD." BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THE APOSTLE PAUL TAUGHT A KEY ELEMENT IN OUR MINISTERING. HE TAUGHT THAT WE ARE "THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR" AND THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE BODY IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE ENTIRE BODY IS EDIFIED. THEN HE TAUGHT A POWERFUL TRUTH THAT ENTERED DEEPLY INTO MY HEART WHEN I READ IT. HE SAID, "MUCH MORE THOSE MEMBERS OF THE BODY, WHICH SEEM TO BE MORE FEEBLE, ARE NECESSARY: AND THOSE MEMBERS OF THE BODY, WHICH WE THINK TO BE LESS HONOURABLE, UPON THESE WE BESTOW MORE ABUNDANT HONOUR." HENCE, IN EACH WARD AND BRANCH WE NEED EVERYONE-THOSE WHO MAY BE STRONG AND THOSE WHO ARE PERHAPS STRUGGLING. ALL ARE NECESSARY TO THE VITAL EDIFICATION OF THE ENTIRE "BODY OF CHRIST." I OFTEN WONDER WHO WE ARE MISSING IN OUR VARIOUS CONGREGATIONS THAT WOULD STRENGTHEN US AND MAKE US WHOLE. IN 1849, BRIGHAM YOUNG HAD A DREAM WHERE HE SAW THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH DRIVING A LARGE HERD OF SHEEP AND GOATS. SOME OF THESE ANIMALS WERE LARGE AND BEAUTIFUL; OTHERS WERE SMALL AND DIRTY. BRIGHAM RECALLED LOOKING INTO THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH'S EYES AND SAYING, "JOSEPH, YOU HAVE GOT THE DARNDEST FLOCK... I EVER SAW IN MY LIFE; WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THEM?" THE PROPHET, WHO SEEMED UNCONCERNED WITH THIS UNRULY FLOCK, SIMPLY REPLIED: "BRIGHAM, THEY ARE ALL GOOD IN THEIR PLACES." WHEN PRESIDENT YOUNG AWOKE, HE UNDERSTOOD THAT WHILE THE CHURCH WILL GATHER A VARIETY OF "SHEEP AND GOATS," IT WAS HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO BRING ALL IN AND ALLOW EACH OF THEM TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS THEY TOOK THEIR PLACES IN THE CHURCH. BROTHER AND SISTERS, THE GENESIS OF MY TALK CAME AS I THOUGHT DEEPLY ABOUT ONE WHO IS NOT CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. FOR A MOMENT I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO EACH ONE OF THEM. ELDER NEAL A. MAXWELL HAS TAUGHT THAT "SUCH INDIVIDUALS OFTEN STAY PROXIMATE TO--BUT DO NOT PARTICIPATE FULLY IN--THE CHURCH. THEY WILL NOT COME INSIDE THE CHAPEL, BUT NEITHER DO THEY LEAVE ITS PORCH. THESE ARE THEY WHO NEED AND ARE NEEDED BY THE CHURCH, BUT WHO IN PART, 'LIVE WITHOUT GOD IN THE WORLD.'" I WOULD ECHO THE INVITATION OF OUR BELOVED PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON AS HE FIRST SPOKE TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCH. "NOW, TO EACH MEMBER OF THE CHURCH I SAY: KEEP ON THE COVENANT PATH. YOUR COMMITMENT TO FOLLOW THE SAVIOR BY MAKING COVENANTS WITH HIM AND THEN KEEPING THOSE COVENANTS WILL OPEN THE DOOR TO EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING AND PRIVILEGE AVAILABLE TO MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN EVERYWHERE." HE THEN PLEADED: "NOW, IF YOU HAVE STEPPED OFF THE PATH, MAY I INVITE YOU WITH ALL THE HOPE IN MY HEART TO PLEASE COME BACK. WHATEVER YOUR CONCERNS, WHATEVER YOUR CHALLENGES, THERE IS A PLACE FOR YOU IN THIS, THE LORD'S CHURCH. YOU AND GENERATIONS YET UNBORN WILL BE BLESSED BY YOUR ACTIONS NOW TO RETURN TO THE COVENANT PATH." I BEAR WITNESS OF HIM, EVEN JESUS CHRIST, THE MASTER MINISTER AND SAVIOR OF US ALL. I INVITE EACH OF US TO SEEK OUT THE "POBRECITOS," THE POOR LITTLE ONES AMONG US WHO ARE IN NEED, IS MY HOPE AND PRAYER IN THE SACRED NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> ELDER DALE G. RENLUND: IN 1994, A GENOCIDE TOOK PLACE IN THE EAST AFRICAN COUNTRY OF RWANDA THAT WAS PARTLY DUE TO DEEP-SEATED TRIBAL TENSIONS. ESTIMATES ARE THAT MORE THAN HALF A MILLION PEOPLE WERE KILLED. REMARKABLY, THE RWANDAN PEOPLE HAVE IN LARGE PART RECONCILED, BUT THESE EVENTS CONTINUE TO REVERBERATE. A DECADE AGO WHILE VISITING RWANDA, MY WIFE AND I STRUCK UP A CONVERSATION WITH ANOTHER PASSENGER AT THE KIGALI AIRPORT. HE LAMENTED THE UNFAIRNESS OF THE GENOCIDE AND POIGNANTLY ASKED, "IF THERE WERE A GOD, WOULDN'T HE HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT?" FOR THIS MAN--AND FOR MANY OF US--SUFFERING AND BRUTAL UNFAIRNESS CAN SEEM INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE REALITY OF A KIND, LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER. YET HE IS REAL, HE IS KIND, AND HE LOVES EACH OF HIS CHILDREN PERFECTLY. THIS DICHOTOMY IS AS OLD AS MANKIND AND CANNOT BE EXPLAINED IN A SIMPLE SOUND BITE OR ON A BUMPER STICKER. TO BEGIN TO MAKE SOME SENSE OF IT, LET US EXPLORE VARIOUS TYPES OF UNFAIRNESS. CONSIDER A FAMILY IN WHICH EACH CHILD RECEIVED A WEEKLY MONETARY ALLOWANCE FOR DOING COMMON HOUSEHOLD CHORES. ONE SON, JOHN, PURCHASED CANDY; ONE DAUGHTER, ANNA, SAVED HER MONEY. EVENTUALLY, ANNA BOUGHT HERSELF A BICYCLE. JOHN THOUGHT IT WAS TOTALLY UNFAIR THAT ANNA GOT A BIKE WHEN HE DID NOT. BUT JOHN'S CHOICES CREATED THE INEQUALITY, NOT PARENTAL ACTIONS. ANNA'S DECISION TO FORGO THE IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION OF EATING CANDY DID NOT IMPOSE ANY UNFAIRNESS ON JOHN BECAUSE HE HAD THE SAME OPPORTUNITY AS HIS SISTER. OUR DECISIONS CAN LIKEWISE YIELD LONG-TERM ADVANTAGES OR DISADVANTAGES. AS THE LORD REVEALED, "IF A PERSON GAINS MORE KNOWLEDGE AND INTELLIGENCE IN THIS LIFE THROUGH HIS DILIGENCE AND OBEDIENCE THAN ANOTHER, HE WILL HAVE SO MUCH THE ADVANTAGE IN THE WORLD TO COME." WHEN OTHERS RECEIVE BENEFITS BECAUSE OF THEIR DILIGENT CHOICES, WE CANNOT RIGHTLY CONCLUDE THAT WE HAVE BEEN TREATED UNFAIRLY WHEN WE HAVE HAD THE SAME OPPORTUNITY. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF UNFAIRNESS STEMS FROM A SITUATION MY WIFE, RUTH, ENCOUNTERED AS A CHILD. ONE DAY, RUTH LEARNED THAT HER MOTHER WAS TAKING A YOUNGER SISTER, MERLA, TO BUY NEW SHOES. RUTH COMPLAINED, "MOM, IT'S SO UNFAIR! MERLA GOT THE LAST NEW PAIR OF SHOES." RUTH'S MOTHER ASKED, "RUTH, DO YOUR SHOES FIT?" RUTH REPLIED, "WELL, YES." RUTH'S MOTHER THEN SAID, "MERLA'S SHOES NO LONGER FIT." RUTH AGREED THAT EACH CHILD IN THE FAMILY SHOULD HAVE SHOES THAT FIT. ALTHOUGH RUTH WOULD HAVE LIKED NEW SHOES, HER PERCEPTION OF BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY DISSIPATED WHEN SHE SAW THE CIRCUMSTANCES THROUGH HER MOTHER'S EYES. SOME UNFAIRNESS CANNOT BE EXPLAINED; INEXPLICABLE UNFAIRNESS IS INFURIATING. UNFAIRNESS COMES FROM LIVING WITH BODIES THAT ARE IMPERFECT, INJURED, OR DISEASED. MORTAL LIFE IS INHERENTLY UNFAIR. SOME PEOPLE ARE BORN IN AFFLUENCE; OTHERS ARE NOT. SOME HAVE LOVING PARENTS; OTHERS DO NOT. SOME LIVE MANY YEARS, OTHERS FEW. AND ON AND ON AND ON. SOME INDIVIDUALS MAKE INJURIOUS MISTAKES EVEN WHEN THEY ARE TRYING TO DO GOOD. SOME CHOOSE NOT TO ALLEVIATE UNFAIRNESS WHEN THEY COULD. DISTRESSINGLY, SOME INDIVIDUALS USE THEIR GOD-GIVEN AGENCY TO HURT OTHERS WHEN THEY NEVER SHOULD. DIFFERENT TYPES OF UNFAIRNESS CAN MERGE, CREATING A TSUNAMI OF OVERWHELMING UNFAIRNESS. FOR INSTANCE, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS THOSE WHO ALREADY ARE SUBJECT TO MULTIFACTORIAL, UNDERLYING DISADVANTAGES. MY HEART ACHES FOR THOSE WHO FACE SUCH UNFAIRNESS, BUT I DECLARE WITH ALL MY ACHING HEART THAT JESUS CHRIST BOTH UNDERSTANDS UNFAIRNESS AND HAS THE POWER TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. NOTHING COMPARES TO THE UNFAIRNESS HE ENDURED. IT WAS NOT FAIR THAT HE EXPERIENCED ALL THE PAINS AND AFFLICTIONS OF MANKIND. IT WAS NOT FAIR THAT HE SUFFERED FOR MY SINS AND MISTAKES AND FOR YOURS. BUT HE CHOSE TO DO SO BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE FOR US AND FOR HEAVENLY FATHER. HE PERFECTLY UNDERSTANDS WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING. SCRIPTURE RECORDS THAT ANCIENT ISRAELITES COMPLAINED THAT GOD WAS TREATING THEM UNFAIRLY. IN RESPONSE, JEHOVAH ASKED, "FOR CAN A WOMAN FORGET HER SUCKING CHILD, THAT SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE COMPASSION ON THE SON OF HER WOMB?" AS UNLIKELY AS IT IS THAT A LOVING MOTHER WOULD FORGET HER INFANT CHILD, JEHOVAH DECLARED THAT HIS DEVOTION WAS EVEN MORE STEADFAST. HE AFFIRMED, "YEA, THEY MAY FORGET, YET WILL I NOT FORGET THEE. ... BEHOLD, I HAVE GRAVEN THEE UPON THE PALMS OF MY HANDS; THY WALLS ARE CONTINUALLY BEFORE ME." BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST ENDURED THE INFINITE, ATONING SACRIFICE, HE EMPATHIZES PERFECTLY WITH US. HE IS ALWAYS AWARE OF US AND OUR CIRCUMSTANCES. IN MORTALITY, WE CAN "COME BOLDLY" TO THE SAVIOR AND RECEIVE COMPASSION, HEALING, AND HELP. EVEN WHILE WE SUFFER INEXPLICABLY, GOD CAN BLESS US IN SIMPLE, ORDINARY, AND SIGNIFICANT WAYS. AS WE LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THESE BLESSINGS, OUR TRUST IN GOD WILL INCREASE. IN THE ETERNITIES, HEAVENLY FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST WILL RESOLVE ALL UNFAIRNESS. WE UNDERSTANDABLY WANT TO KNOW HOW<i> </i> AND WHEN. HOW ARE THEY GOING TO DO THAT? WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO DO IT? TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THEY HAVE NOT REVEALED HOW OR WHEN. WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT THEY WILL. IN UNFAIR SITUATIONS, ONE OF OUR TASKS IS TO TRUST THAT "ALL THAT IS UNFAIR ABOUT LIFE CAN BE MADE RIGHT THROUGH THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST." JESUS CHRIST OVERCAME THE WORLD AND "ABSORBED" ALL UNFAIRNESS. BECAUSE OF HIM, WE CAN HAVE PEACE IN THIS WORLD AND BE OF GOOD CHEER. IF WE LET HIM, JESUS CHRIST WILL CONSECRATE THE UNFAIRNESS FOR OUR GAIN. HE WILL NOT JUST CONSOLE US AND RESTORE WHAT WAS LOST; HE WILL USE THE UNFAIRNESS FOR OUR BENEFIT. WHEN IT COMES TO HOW AND WHEN, WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE AND ACCEPT, AS DID ALMA, "IT MATTERETH NOT; FOR GOD KNOWETH ALL THESE THINGS; AND IT SUFFICETH ME TO KNOW THAT THIS IS THE CASE." WE CAN TRY TO HOLD OUR QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW AND WHEN FOR LATER AND FOCUS ON DEVELOPING FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST--THAT HE HAS BOTH THE POWER TO MAKE EVERYTHING RIGHT AND YEARNS TO DO SO. FOR US TO INSIST ON KNOWING HOW OR WHEN IS UNPRODUCTIVE AND, AFTER ALL, MYOPIC. AS WE DEVELOP FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, WE SHOULD ALSO STRIVE TO BECOME LIKE HIM. WE THEN APPROACH OTHERS WITH COMPASSION AND TRY TO ALLEVIATE UNFAIRNESS WHERE WE FIND IT; WE CAN TRY TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT WITHIN OUR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE. INDEED, THE SAVIOR DIRECTED THAT WE "SHOULD BE ANXIOUSLY ENGAGED IN A GOOD CAUSE, AND DO MANY THINGS OF [OUR] OWN FREE WILL, AND BRING TO PASS MUCH RIGHTEOUSNESS." SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN ANXIOUSLY ENGAGED IN COMBATING UNFAIRNESS IS ATTORNEY BRYAN STEVENSON. HIS LEGAL PRACTICE IN THE UNITED STATES IS DEDICATED TO DEFENDING THE WRONGLY ACCUSED, ENDING EXCESSIVE PUNISHMENT, AND PROTECTING BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS. SOME YEARS AGO, MR. STEVENSON DEFENDED A MAN WHO HAD BEEN FALSELY ACCUSED OF MURDER AND WAS CONDEMNED TO DIE. MR. STEVENSON ASKED THE MAN'S LOCAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH FOR SUPPORT, EVEN THOUGH THE MAN WAS NOT ACTIVE IN HIS CHURCH AND WAS DISPARAGED IN THE COMMUNITY DUE TO A WIDELY KNOWN EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR. TO FOCUS THE CONGREGATION ON WHAT REALLY MATTERED, MR. STEVENSON SPOKE TO THEM ABOUT THE WOMAN ACCUSED OF ADULTERY WHO WAS BROUGHT TO JESUS. THE ACCUSERS WANTED TO STONE HER TO DEATH, BUT JESUS SAID, "HE THAT IS WITHOUT SIN ... , LET HIM FIRST CAST A STONE AT HER." THE WOMAN'S ACCUSERS WITHDREW. JESUS DID NOT CONDEMN THE WOMAN BUT CHARGED HER TO SIN NO MORE. AFTER RECOUNTING THIS EPISODE, MR. STEVENSON OBSERVED THAT SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS, FEAR, AND ANGER HAVE CAUSED EVEN CHRISTIANS TO HURL STONES AT PEOPLE WHO STUMBLE. HE THEN SAID, "WE CAN'T SIMPLY WATCH THAT HAPPEN," AND HE ENCOURAGED THE CONGREGANTS TO BECOME "STONE CATCHERS." BROTHERS AND SISTERS, NOT THROWING STONES IS THE FIRST STEP IN TREATING OTHERS WITH COMPASSION. THE SECOND STEP IS TO TRY TO CATCH STONES THROWN BY OTHERS. HOW WE DEAL WITH ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES IS PART OF LIFE'S TEST. WE WILL BE JUDGED NOT SO MUCH BY WHAT WE SAY BUT BY HOW WE TREAT THE VULNERABLE AND DISADVANTAGED. AS LATTER-DAY SAINTS, WE SEEK TO FOLLOW THE SAVIOR'S EXAMPLE, TO GO ABOUT DOING GOOD. WE DEMONSTRATE OUR LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBOR BY WORKING TO ENSURE THE DIGNITY OF ALL HEAVENLY FATHER'S CHILDREN. WITH OUR OWN ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES IN MIND, REFLECTION IS HEALTHY. FOR JOHN TO UNDERSTAND WHY ANNA GOT THE BIKE WAS REVEALING. FOR RUTH TO VIEW MERLA'S NEED FOR SHOES THROUGH HER MOTHER'S EYES WAS ENLIGHTENING. TO TRY TO SEE THINGS WITH AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE CAN BE CLARIFYING. AS WE BECOME MORE LIKE THE SAVIOR, WE DEVELOP MORE EMPATHY, UNDERSTANDING, AND CHARITY. I RETURN TO THE QUESTION POSED BY OUR FELLOW PASSENGER IN KIGALI, WHO LAMENTED THE UNFAIRNESS OF THE RWANDAN GENOCIDE AND ASKED, "IF THERE WERE A GOD, WOULDN'T HE HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT?" WITHOUT MINIMIZING THE SUFFERING CAUSED BY THE GENOCIDE AND AFTER ACKNOWLEDGING OUR INABILITY TO COMPREHEND SUCH SUFFERING, WE REPLIED THAT JESUS CHRIST HAS DONE SOMETHING ABOUT INFURIATING UNFAIRNESS. WE EXPLAINED MANY GOSPEL PRECEPTS CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST AND THE RESTORATION OF HIS CHURCH. AFTERWARD, OUR ACQUAINTANCE ASKED WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES, "YOU MEAN THERE IS SOMETHING I CAN DO FOR MY DEAD PARENTS AND UNCLE?" WE SAID, "OH, YES!" WE THEN TESTIFIED THAT ALL THAT IS UNFAIR ABOUT LIFE CAN BE MADE RIGHT THROUGH THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST AND THAT BY HIS AUTHORITY, FAMILIES CAN BE JOINED TOGETHER FOREVER. WHEN FACED WITH UNFAIRNESS, WE CAN PUSH OURSELVES AWAY FROM GOD OR WE CAN BE DRAWN TOWARD HIM FOR HELP AND SUPPORT. FOR EXAMPLE, THE PROLONGED WARFARE BETWEEN THE NEPHITES AND THE LAMANITES AFFECTED PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY. MORMON OBSERVED THAT "MANY HAD BECOME HARDENED" WHILE OTHERS "WERE SOFTENED BECAUSE OF THEIR AFFLICTIONS, INSOMUCH THAT THEY DID HUMBLE THEMSELVES BEFORE GOD." DO NOT LET UNFAIRNESS HARDEN YOU OR CORRODE YOUR FAITH IN GOD. INSTEAD, ASK GOD FOR HELP. INCREASE YOUR APPRECIATION FOR AND RELIANCE ON THE SAVIOR. RATHER THAN BECOMING BITTER, LET HIM HELP YOU BECOME BETTER. ALLOW HIM TO HELP YOU PERSEVERE, TO LET YOUR AFFLICTIONS BE "SWALLOWED UP IN THE JOY OF CHRIST." JOIN HIM IN HIS MISSION TO "HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED"; STRIVE TO MITIGATE UNFAIRNESS, AND BECOME A STONE CATCHER. I TESTIFY THAT THE SAVIOR LIVES. HE UNDERSTANDS UNFAIRNESS. THE MARKS IN THE PALMS OF HIS HANDS CONTINUALLY REMIND HIM OF YOU AND YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. HE MINISTERS TO YOU IN ALL YOUR DISTRESS. FOR THOSE WHO COME UNTO HIM, A CROWN OF BEAUTY WILL REPLACE THE ASHES OF MOURNING; JOY AND GLADNESS WILL REPLACE GRIEF AND SORROW; APPRECIATION AND CELEBRATION WILL REPLACE DISCOURAGEMENT AND DESPAIR. YOUR FAITH IN HEAVENLY FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST WILL BE REWARDED MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE. ALL UNFAIRNESS--ESPECIALLY INFURIATING UNFAIRNESS--WILL BE CONSECRATED FOR YOUR GAIN. I SO TESTIFY IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> PRESIDENT EYRING: WE INVITE YOU, WHEREVER YOU ARE, TO JOIN THE CHOIR IN SINGING “COME, YE CHILDREN OF THE LORD.” AFTER THE SINGING, WE WILL HEAR FROM ELDER NEIL L. ANDERSEN OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES. HE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY ELDER THIERRY K. MUTOMBO, OF THE SEVENTY, WHO RECORDED HIS MESSAGE PREVIOUSLY AND IS SERVING IN THE AFRICA CENTRAL AREA PRESIDENCY. ♪♪ >> LLOYD NEWELL: THIS IS THE SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION OF THE 191ST ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. ♪♪ ♪ COME, YE CHILDREN
OF THE LORD, ♪ ♪ LET US SING
WITH ONE ACCORD. ♪ ♪ LET US RAISE
A JOYFUL STRAIN ♪ ♪ TO OUR LORD
WHO SOON WILL REIGN ♪ ♪ ON THIS EARTH
WHEN IT SHALL BE ♪ ♪ CLEANSED
FROM ALL INIQUITY, ♪ ♪ WHEN ALL MEN
FROM SIN WILL CEASE, ♪ ♪ AND WILL LIVE
IN LOVE AND PEACE. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ OH, HOW JOYFUL
IT WILL BE ♪ ♪ WHEN OUR SAVIOR
WE SHALL SEE! ♪ ♪ WHEN IN SPLENDOR
HE'LL DESCEND, ♪ ♪ THEN ALL WICKEDNESS
WILL END. ♪ ♪ OH, WHAT SONGS
WE THEN WILL SING ♪ ♪ TO OUR SAVIOR,
LORD, AND KING! ♪ ♪ OH, WHAT LOVE
WILL THEN BEAR SWAY ♪ ♪ WHEN OUR FEARS
SHALL FLEE AWAY! ♪ ♪ ALL ARRAYED
IN SPOTLESS WHITE, ♪ ♪ WE WILL DWELL
'MID TRUTH AND LIGHT. ♪ ♪ WE WILL SING
THE SONGS OF PRAISE; ♪ ♪ WE WILL SHOUT
IN JOYOUS LAYS. ♪ ♪ EARTH SHALL THEN BE
CLEANSED FROM SIN. ♪ ♪ EV'RY LIVING
THING THEREIN ♪ ♪ SHALL IN LOVE
AND BEAUTY DWELL; ♪ ♪ THEN WITH JO
EACH HEART WILL SWELL. ♪♪ >> ELDER NEIL L. ANDERSEN: EACH OF US HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC, AS FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE UNEXPECTEDLY MOVED BEYOND MORTALITY. LET ME ACKNOWLEDGE THREE WE DEARLY MISS, REPRESENTING ALL THOSE WE LOVE SO MUCH. THIS IS BROTHER PHILIPPE AND SISTER GERMAIN NSONDI. BROTHER NSONDI WAS SERVING AS THE PATRIARCH OF THE BRAZZAVILLE CONGO STAKE WHEN HE PASSED AWAY. HE WAS A MEDICAL DOCTOR WHO SHARED HIS TALENTS GENEROUSLY WITH OTHERS. THIS IS SISTER CLARA RUANO DE VILLAREAL FROM TULCáN, ECUADOR. SHE EMBRACED THE RESTORED GOSPEL AT AGE 34 AND WAS A BELOVED LEADER. HER FAMILY SAID GOODBYE SINGING HER FAVORITE HYMN, "I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES." THIS IS BROTHER RAY TUINEAU FROM UTAH WITH HIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. HIS WIFE, JULIET, SAID, "I WANT [MY BOYS] TO [REMEMBER THAT THEIR DAD] ALWAYS TRIED TO PUT GOD FIRST." THE LORD HAS SAID, "THOU SHALT LIVE TOGETHER IN LOVE, INSOMUCH THAT THOU SHALT WEEP FOR THE LOSS OF THEM THAT DIE." WHILE WE WEEP, WE ALSO REJOICE IN THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF OUR SAVIOR. BECAUSE OF HIM, OUR LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS CONTINUE THEIR ETERNAL JOURNEY. AS PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH EXPLAINED: "WE CANNOT FORGET THEM; WE DO NOT CEASE TO LOVE THEM. ... THEY HAVE ADVANCED; WE ARE ADVANCING; WE ARE GROWING AS THEY HAVE GROWN." PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON SAID, "OUR TEARS OF SORROW ... TURN TO TEARS OF ANTICIPATION." OUR ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE NOT ONLY ENLARGES OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THOSE WHO ARE CONTINUING THEIR JOURNEY BEYOND MORTALITY BUT ALSO OPENS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THOSE WHO ARE EARLIER IN THEIR JOURNEY AND JUST NOW ENTERING MORTALITY. EACH PERSON WHO COMES TO EARTH IS A UNIQUE SON OR DAUGHTER OF GOD. OUR PERSONAL JOURNEY DID NOT BEGIN AT BIRTH. BEFORE WE WERE BORN, WE WERE TOGETHER IN A WORLD OF PREPARATION, WHERE WE "RECEIVED [OUR] FIRST LESSONS IN THE WORLD OF SPIRITS." JEHOVAH TOLD JEREMIAH, "BEFORE I FORMED THEE IN THE BELLY I KNEW THEE; AND BEFORE THOU CAMEST FORTH OUT OF THE WOMB I SANCTIFIED THEE." SOME MAY QUESTION IF LIFE BEGINS WITH THE FORMATION OF AN EMBRYO, OR WHEN THE HEART BEGINS TO BEAT, OR WHEN THE BABY CAN LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE WOMB. BUT FOR US, THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT SPIRIT DAUGHTERS AND SONS OF GOD ARE ON THEIR OWN PERSONAL JOURNEYS COMING TO EARTH TO RECEIVE A BODY AND EXPERIENCE MORTALITY. AS COVENANT CHILDREN OF GOD, WE LOVE, HONOR, NURTURE, SAFEGUARD, AND WELCOME THOSE SPIRITS WHO ARE COMING FROM THE PREMORTAL WORLD. FOR A WOMAN, HAVING A CHILD CAN BE A GREAT SACRIFICE PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND ECONOMICALLY. WE LOVE AND HONOR THE AMAZING WOMEN OF THIS CHURCH. WITH INTELLIGENCE AND WISDOM, YOU BEAR THE BURDENS OF YOUR FAMILY. YOU LOVE. YOU SERVE. YOU SACRIFICE. YOU STRENGTHEN FAITH, MINISTER TO THOSE IN NEED, AND GREATLY CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY. YEARS AGO, FEELING DEEP CONCERN FOR THE NUMBER OF ABORTIONS IN THE WORLD, PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY ADDRESSED THE WOMEN OF THE CHURCH WITH WORDS THAT ARE RELEVANT FOR US TODAY. HE SAID: "YOU WHO ARE WIVES AND MOTHERS ARE THE ANCHORS OF THE FAMILY. YOU BEAR THE CHILDREN. WHAT AN ENORMOUS AND SACRED RESPONSIBILITY THAT IS. ... WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR APPRECIATION OF THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE? ABORTION IS AN EVIL, STARK AND REAL AND REPUGNANT, WHICH IS SWEEPING OVER THE EARTH. I PLEAD WITH THE WOMEN OF THIS CHURCH TO SHUN IT, TO STAND ABOVE IT, TO STAY AWAY FROM THOSE COMPROMISING SITUATIONS WHICH MAKE IT APPEAR DESIRABLE. THERE MAY BE SOME FEW CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH IT CAN OCCUR, BUT THEY ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED. ... YOU ARE THE MOTHERS OF THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD, WHOSE LIVES ARE SACRED. SAFEGUARDING THEM IS A DIVINELY- GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY WHICH CANNOT BE LIGHTLY BRUSHED ASIDE." ELDER MARCUS B. NASH SHARED WITH ME THE STORY OF A DEAR 84-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO, DURING HER BAPTISMAL INTERVIEW, "ACKNOWLEDGED AN ABORTION [MANY YEARS BEFORE]." WITH HEARTFELT EMOTION, SHE SAID: "I HAVE CARRIED THE BURDEN OF HAVING ABORTED A CHILD EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE FOR 46 YEARS. ... NOTHING I DID WOULD TAKE THE PAIN AND GUILT AWAY. I WAS HOPELESS UNTIL I WAS TAUGHT THE TRUE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. I LEARNED HOW TO REPENT ... AND SUDDENLY I WAS FILLED WITH HOPE. I FINALLY CAME TO KNOW THAT I COULD BE FORGIVEN IF I TRULY REPENTED OF MY SINS." HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE FOR THE DIVINE GIFTS OF REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS. WHAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS PEACEFUL DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST? LET US LIVE GOD'S COMMANDMENTS, TEACH THEM TO OUR CHILDREN, AND SHARE THEM WITH OTHERS WHO ARE WILLING TO LISTEN. LET US SHARE OUR DEEP FEELINGS ABOUT THE SANCTITY OF LIFE WITH THOSE WHO MAKE DECISIONS IN SOCIETY. THEY MAY NOT FULLY APPRECIATE WHAT WE BELIEVE, BUT WE PRAY THAT THEY WILL MORE FULLY UNDERSTAND WHY, FOR US, THESE DECISIONS GO WELL BEYOND JUST WHAT A PERSON WANTS FOR HIS OR HER OWN LIFE. IF AN UNANTICIPATED CHILD IS EXPECTED, LET US REACH OUT WITH LOVE, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND, WHEN NEEDED, FINANCIAL HELP, STRENGTHENING A MOTHER IN ALLOWING HER CHILD TO BE BORN AND CONTINUE HIS OR HER JOURNEY IN MORTALITY. IN OUR FAMILY, WE HAVE BEEN IMMEASURABLY BLESSED AS TWO DECADES AGO A YOUNG 16-YEAR-OLD LEARNED THAT SHE WAS EXPECTING A CHILD. SHE AND THE BABY'S FATHER WERE NOT MARRIED, AND THEY COULD SEE NO WAY FORWARD TOGETHER. THE YOUNG WOMAN BELIEVED THE LIFE SHE WAS CARRYING WAS PRECIOUS. SHE GAVE BIRTH TO A BABY GIRL AND ALLOWED A RIGHTEOUS FAMILY TO ADOPT HER AS THEIR OWN. FOR BRYCE AND JOLINNE, SHE WAS AN ANSWER TO THEIR PRAYERS. THEY NAMED HER EMILY AND TAUGHT HER TO TRUST IN HER HEAVENLY FATHER AND IN HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. EMILY GREW UP. HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE THAT EMILY AND OUR GRANDSON CHRISTIAN FELL IN LOVE AND WERE MARRIED IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. EMILY AND CHRISTIAN NOW HAVE THEIR OWN LITTLE GIRL. EMILY RECENTLY WROTE: "THROUGHOUT THESE LAST NINE MONTHS OF PREGNANCY, I HAD TIME TO REFLECT ON THE EVENTS [OF] MY OWN BIRTH. I THOUGHT OF MY BIRTH MOTHER, WHO WAS JUST 16 YEARS OLD. AS I EXPERIENCED THE ACHES AND CHANGES THAT PREGNANCY BRINGS, I COULDN'T HELP BUT IMAGINE HOW DIFFICULT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 16. ... THE TEARS FLOW EVEN NOW AS I THINK OF MY BIRTH MOTHER, WHO KNEW SHE COULDN'T GIVE ME THE LIFE [SHE DESIRED FOR ME AND UNSELFISHLY PLACED] ME FOR ADOPTION. I CAN'T FATHOM WHAT SHE MIGHT HAVE GONE THROUGH IN THOSE NINE MONTHS; BEING WATCHED WITH JUDGING EYES AS HER BODY CHANGED, THE TEEN EXPERIENCES SHE MISSED, KNOWING THAT AT THE END OF THIS LABOR OF MOTHERLY LOVE, SHE WOULD PLACE HER CHILD INTO THE ARMS OF ANOTHER. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR HER SELFLESS CHOICE, THAT SHE DID NOT CHOOSE TO USE HER AGENCY IN A WAY THAT WOULD TAKE AWAY MY OWN." EMILY CONCLUDES, "I'M SO THANKFUL FOR HEAVENLY FATHER'S DIVINE PLAN, FOR MY INCREDIBLE PARENTS WHO [LOVED AND CARED FOR] ME, AND FOR TEMPLES WHERE WE CAN BE SEALED TO OUR FAMILIES FOR ETERNITY." THE SAVIOR "TOOK A CHILD, AND SET HIM IN THE MIDST OF THEM: AND WHEN HE HAD TAKEN HIM IN HIS ARMS, HE SAID UNTO THEM, "WHOSOEVER SHALL RECEIVE ONE OF [THESE] CHILDREN IN MY NAME, RECEIVETH ME." I EXPRESS MY LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR RIGHTEOUS COUPLES WHO MARRY AND ARE UNABLE TO HAVE THE CHILDREN THEY SO EAGERLY ANTICIPATE, AND TO THOSE WOMEN AND MEN WHO HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MARRY ACCORDING TO GOD'S LAW. THE UNREALIZED DREAMS OF LIFE ARE DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND IF VIEWED ONLY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF MORTALITY. AS THE LORD'S SERVANT, I PROMISE YOU THAT AS YOU ARE FAITHFUL TO JESUS CHRIST AND YOUR COVENANTS, YOU WILL RECEIVE COMPENSATING BLESSINGS IN THIS LIFE AND YOUR RIGHTEOUS DESIRES IN THE ETERNAL TIME LINE OF THE LORD. THERE CAN BE HAPPINESS IN THE JOURNEY OF MORTALITY EVEN WHEN ALL OF OUR RIGHTEOUS HOPES ARE NOT REALIZED. AFTER BIRTH, CHILDREN CONTINUE TO NEED OUR HELP. SOME NEED IT DESPERATELY. EACH YEAR, THROUGH CARING BISHOPS AND YOUR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF FAST OFFERINGS AND HUMANITARIAN FUNDS, THE LIVES OF MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF CHILDREN ARE BLESSED. THE FIRST PRESIDENCY RECENTLY ANNOUNCED AN ADDITIONAL 20 20 MILLION DOLLARS TO ASSIST UNICEF IN THEIR GLOBAL EFFORTS TO ADMINISTER TWO BILLION VACCINES. CHILDREN ARE LOVED BY GOD. IT IS CONCERNING THAT EVEN IN SOME OF THE MOST PROSPEROUS COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD, FEWER CHILDREN ARE BEING BORN. "GOD'S COMMANDMENT FOR HIS CHILDREN TO MULTIPLY AND REPLENISH THE EARTH REMAINS IN FORCE." WHEN TO HAVE A CHILD AND HOW MANY CHILDREN TO HAVE ARE PRIVATE DECISIONS TO BE MADE BETWEEN A HUSBAND AND WIFE AND THE LORD. WITH FAITH AND PRAYER, THESE SACRED DECISIONS CAN BE BEAUTIFUL, REVELATORY EXPERIENCES. I SHARE THE STORY OF THE LAING FAMILY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. SISTER REBECCA LAING WRITES: "IN THE SUMMER OF 2011, LIFE FOR OUR FAMILY WAS SEEMINGLY PERFECT. WE WERE HAPPILY MARRIED WITH FOUR CHILDREN-AGES 9, 7, 5, AND 3. ... "MY PREGNANCIES AND DELIVERIES [HAD BEEN] HIGH RISK ... [AND] WE FELT [VERY] BLESSED TO HAVE FOUR CHILDREN, [THINKING] THAT OUR FAMILY WAS COMPLETE. IN OCTOBER, WHILE LISTENING TO GENERAL CONFERENCE, I FELT AN UNMISTAKABLE FEELING THAT WE WERE TO HAVE ANOTHER BABY. AS LEGRAND AND I PONDERED AND PRAYED, ... WE KNEW THAT GOD HAD A DIFFERENT PLAN FOR US THAN WE HAD FOR OURSELVES. "AFTER ANOTHER DIFFICULT PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY, WE WERE BLESSED WITH A BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL. WE NAMED HER BRIELLE. SHE WAS A MIRACLE. MOMENTS AFTER HER BIRTH, WHILE STILL IN [THE DELIVERY ROOM], I HEARD THE UNMISTAKABLE VOICE OF THE SPIRIT: 'THERE IS ONE MORE.' "THREE YEARS LATER, ANOTHER MIRACLE, MIA. BRIELLE AND MIA ARE A TREMENDOUS JOY FOR OUR FAMILY." SHE CONCLUDES, "BEING OPEN TO THE LORD'S DIRECTION AND FOLLOWING HIS PLAN FOR US WILL ALWAYS BRING GREATER HAPPINESS THAN... RELYING ON OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING." THE SAVIOR LOVES EACH PRECIOUS CHILD. "... HE TOOK THEIR LITTLE CHILDREN, ONE BY ONE, AND BLESSED THEM. ... "AND ... THEY CAST THEIR EYES TOWARDS HEAVEN, ... AND THEY SAW ANGELS DESCENDING OUT OF HEAVEN ... IN THE MIDST OF FIRE; AND [THE ANGELS] ENCIRCLED THOSE LITTLE ONES ABOUT, ... AND THE ANGELS DID MINISTER UNTO THEM." I TESTIFY THAT YOUR OWN PERSONAL JOURNEY AS A CHILD OF GOD DID NOT BEGIN FOR YOU AS THE FIRST FLOW OF EARTH'S AIR CAME RUSHING INTO YOUR LUNGS, AND IT WILL NOT END WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR LAST BREATH OF MORTALITY. MAY WE ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT EACH SPIRIT CHILD OF GOD IS COMING TO EARTH ON HIS OR HER OWN PERSONAL JOURNEY. MAY WE WELCOME THEM, SAFEGUARD THEM, AND ALWAYS LOVE THEM. AS YOU RECEIVE THESE PRECIOUS CHILDREN IN THE SAVIOR'S NAME AND HELP THEM IN THEIR ETERNAL JOURNEY, I PROMISE YOU THAT THE LORD WILL BLESS YOU AND SHOWER HIS LOVE AND APPROVAL UPON YOU. IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> ELDER THIERRY K. MUTOMBO: MY BELOVED BROTHERS AND SISTERS, I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE PRIVILEGE TO ADDRESS YOU FROM AFRICA. IT IS A BLESSING TO HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY TODAY AND TO USE IT IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO REACH OUT TO YOU WHEREVER YOU ARE. IN SEPTEMBER 2019, SISTER MUTOMBO AND I, WHILE SERVING AS LEADERS OF THE MARYLAND BALTIMORE MISSION, HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO VISIT SOME CHURCH HISTORICAL SITES IN PALMYRA, NEW YORK, WHILE ATTENDING THE MISSION LEADERSHIP SEMINAR. WE ENDED OUR VISIT IN THE SACRED GROVE. OUR INTENTION IN VISITING THE SACRED GROVE WAS NOT TO HAVE A SPECIAL MANIFESTATION OR A VISION, BUT WE DID FEEL GOD'S PRESENCE IN THIS SACRED PLACE. OUR HEARTS WERE FILLED WITH GRATITUDE FOR THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH. ON THE WAY BACK, SISTER MUTOMBO NOTICED THAT I HAD A BIG SMILE WHILE DRIVING, SO SHE ASKED, "WHAT IS THE REASON FOR YOUR EXCITEMENT?" I RESPONDED, "MY DEAR NATHALIE, THE TRUTH WILL ALWAYS TRIUMPH OVER ERROR, AND DARKNESS WILL NOT CONTINUE ON EARTH BECAUSE OF THE RESTORED GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST." GOD THE FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST VISITED THE YOUNG JOSEPH SMITH TO BRING TO LIGHT WHAT WAS HIDDEN, SO WE MAY RECEIVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF THINGS AS THEY ARE, AS THEY WERE, AND AS THEY WILL BE. AFTER ALMOST 200 YEARS, MANY STILL SEEK THE TRUTHS NEEDED TO BECOME FREE OF SOME OF THE TRADITIONS AND THE LIES THAT THE ADVERSARY SPREADS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. MANY ARE "BLINDED BY THE SUBTLE CRAFTINESS OF MEN." IN HIS EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS, PAUL TAUGHT, "AWAKE THOU THAT SLEEPEST, AND ARISE FROM THE DEAD, AND CHRIST SHALL GIVE THEE [THE] LIGHT." THE SAVIOR PROMISED THAT HE WILL BE THE LIGHT UNTO ALL THAT HEAR HIS WORDS. THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO, MY PARENTS WERE ALSO BLINDED AND WERE DESPERATELY SEEKING TO KNOW THE TRUTH AND WERE CONCERNED ABOUT WHERE TO TURN TO FIND IT. MY PARENTS WERE BOTH BORN IN THE VILLAGE, WHERE THE TRADITIONS WERE REALLY ROOTED IN INDIVIDUALS' AND FAMILIES' LIVES. THEY BOTH LEFT THEIR VILLAGE WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG AND CAME TO THE CITY, LOOKING FOR A BETTER LIFE. THEY MARRIED AND STARTED THEIR FAMILY IN A VERY MODEST WAY. WE WERE ALMOST EIGHT PEOPLE IN A SMALL HOUSE--MY PARENTS, TWO OF MY SISTERS, AND I, AND A COUSIN WHO USED TO LIVE WITH US. I WAS WONDERING IF WE WERE TRULY A FAMILY AS WE WERE NOT PERMITTED TO HAVE DINNER AT THE SAME TABLE WITH OUR PARENTS. WHEN OUR DAD RETURNED FROM WORK, AS SOON AS HE ENTERED THE HOUSE, WE WERE ASKED TO LEAVE AND TO GO OUTSIDE. OUR NIGHTS WERE VERY SHORT AS WE COULD NOT SLEEP BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF HARMONY AND TRUE LOVE IN OUR PARENTS' MARRIAGE. OUR HOME WAS NOT ONLY SMALL IN SIZE, BUT IT WAS A DARK PLACE. BEFORE MEETING WITH THE MISSIONARIES, WE ATTENDED DIFFERENT CHURCHES EVERY SUNDAY. IT WAS CLEAR THAT OUR PARENTS WERE SEEKING FOR SOMETHING THAT THE WORLD COULD NOT PROVIDE. THIS WENT ON UNTIL WE MET WITH ELDER AND SISTER HUTCHINGS, THE FIRST SENIOR MISSIONARY COUPLE CALLED TO SERVE IN ZAIRE (KNOWN TODAY AS DR OF CONGO OR CONGO-KINSHASA). WHEN WE STARTED MEETING WITH THESE WONDERFUL MISSIONARIES, WHO WERE LIKE ANGELS THAT CAME FROM GOD, I NOTICED THAT SOMETHING STARTED TO CHANGE IN OUR FAMILY. AFTER OUR BAPTISM, WE TRULY STARTED TO PROGRESSIVELY HAVE A NEW LIFESTYLE BECAUSE OF THE RESTORED GOSPEL. THE WORDS OF CHRIST BEGAN TO ENLARGE OUR SOULS. THEY BEGAN TO ENLIGHTEN OUR UNDERSTANDING AND BECAME DELICIOUS TO US, AS THE TRUTHS THAT WE RECEIVED WERE DISCERNABLE AND WE COULD SEE THE LIGHT, AND THIS LIGHT GREW BRIGHTER AND BRIGHTER DAILY. THIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE "WHY" OF THE GOSPEL WAS HELPING US TO BECOME MORE LIKE THE SAVIOR. THE SIZE OF OUR HOME DID NOT CHANGE; NEITHER DID OUR SOCIAL CONDITIONS. BUT I WITNESSED A CHANGE OF HEART OF MY PARENTS AS WE PRAYED DAILY, MORNING AND EVENING. WE STUDIED THE BOOK OF MORMON; WE HELD FAMILY HOME EVENING; WE TRULY BECAME A FAMILY. EVERY SUNDAY, WE WOKE UP AT 6:00 A.M. TO PREPARE TO GO TO CHURCH, AND WE WOULD TRAVEL FOR HOURS TO ATTEND CHURCH MEETINGS EVERY WEEK WITHOUT COMPLAINING. IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TO WITNESS. WE, WHO PREVIOUSLY WALKED IN DARKNESS, CHASED DARKNESS FROM AMONG US AND SAW "GREAT LIGHT." I REMEMBER ONE DAY, WHEN I WAS NOT WILLING TO WAKE EARLY IN THE MORNING FOR OUR FAMILY PRAYER, I MURMURED TO MY SISTERS: "THERE IS TRULY NOTHING ELSE THAT WE CAN DO IN THIS HOME, ONLY PRAY, PRAY, PRAY." MY DAD HEARD MY COMMENTS. I REMEMBER HIS REACTION AS HE LOVINGLY BUT FIRMLY TAUGHT ME: "AS LONG AS YOU WILL BE IN THIS HOUSE, YOU WILL PRAY, PRAY, PRAY." MY FATHER'S WORDS SOUNDED IN MY EARS DAILY. WHAT DO YOU THINK SISTER MUTOMBO AND I DO WITH OUR CHILDREN TODAY? WE PRAY, PRAY, AND PRAY. THIS IS OUR LEGACY. THE MAN THAT WAS BORN BLIND AND WAS HEALED BY JESUS CHRIST, AFTER BEING PRESSURED BY HIS NEIGHBORS AND THE PHARISEES, SAID: "A MAN THAT IS CALLED JESUS MADE CLAY, AND ANOINTED MINE EYES, AND SAID UNTO ME, GO TO THE POOL OF SILOAM, AND WASH: AND I WENT AND WASHED, AND I RECEIVED SIGHT. ... ONE THING [THAT] I KNOW [IS THAT] I WAS BLIND, NOW I [CAN] SEE." WE ALSO WERE BLIND AND CAN NOW SEE. THE RESTORED GOSPEL HAS IMPACTED OUR FAMILY SINCE THAT TIME. UNDERSTANDING THE "WHY" OF THE GOSPEL HAS BLESSED THREE GENERATIONS OF MY FAMILY AND WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS MANY GENERATIONS TO COME. JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIGHT THAT SHINES IN DARKNESS. HE THAT FOLLOWS HIM "SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS, BUT SHALL HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE." FOR ALMOST A YEAR BETWEEN 2016 AND 2017, THE PEOPLE IN THE KASAI REGION FACED A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. IT WAS A VERY DARK PERIOD FOR THE PEOPLE BECAUSE OF A CONFLICT BETWEEN A TRADITIONAL GROUP OF WARRIORS AND GOVERNMENT FORCES. THE VIOLENCE SPREAD FROM TOWNS IN KASAI-CENTRAL PROVINCE TO THE WIDER KASAI REGION. MANY PEOPLE FLED THEIR HOMES FOR SAFETY AND HID IN THE BUSH. THEY HAD NO FOOD OR WATER OR NOT ANYTHING REALLY, AND AMONG THOSE WERE SOME MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS IN THE KANANGA AREA. SOME MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH WERE KILLED BY THE MILITIA. BROTHER HONORé MULUMBA OF THE NGANZA WARD IN KANANGA AND HIS FAMILY WERE SOME OF THE FEW PEOPLE WHO REMAINED HIDDEN IN THEIR HOUSE, NOT KNOWING WHERE TO GO BECAUSE ALL THE STREETS WERE TRANSFORMED INTO FIRING RANGES. ONE DAY SOME NEIGHBORHOOD MILITIAMEN HAD NOTICED THE PRESENCE OF BROTHER MULUMBA AND HIS FAMILY AS ONE EVENING THEY WENT OUT TO TRY TO FIND SOME VEGETABLES IN THE FAMILY GARDEN TO EAT. A GROUP OF THE MILITIA CAME TO THEIR HOME AND PULLED THEM OUT AND TOLD THEM TO CHOOSE TO ADHERE TO THEIR MILITIA PRACTICES OR THEY WILL BE KILLED. BROTHER MULUMBA COURAGEOUSLY TOLD THEM: "I'M A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST AND HAVE FAITH IN HIM. WE WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL TO OUR COVENANTS AND WILL ACCEPT TO DIE." THEY TOLD THEM, "AS YOU HAVE CHOSEN JESUS CHRIST, YOUR BODIES WILL BE EATEN BY THE DOGS," AND THEY PROMISED TO COME BACK. BUT THEY NEVER DID COME BACK, AND THE FAMILY STAYED THERE FOR TWO MONTHS AND NEVER SAW THEM AGAIN. BROTHER MULUMBA AND HIS FAMILY KEPT THE TORCH OF THEIR FAITH ALIGHT. THEY REMEMBERED THEIR COVENANTS AND WERE PROTECTED. JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIGHT THAT WE SHOULD HOLD UP EVEN DURING THE DARK TIMES OF OUR MORTAL LIFE. WHEN WE CHOOSE TO FOLLOW CHRIST, WE CHOOSE TO BE CHANGED. A MAN CHANGED FOR CHRIST WILL BE CAPTAINED BY CHRIST, AND WE WILL BE ASKING AS PAUL DID, "LORD, WHAT WILT THOU HAVE ME TO DO?" WE WILL "FOLLOW HIS STEPS." WE WILL "WALK, EVEN AS HE WALKED." I TESTIFY OF HIM THAT DIED, WAS BURIED, AND ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY AND ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN SO THAT YOU AND I MAY RECEIVE THE BLESSINGS OF IMMORTALITY AND EXALTATION. HE IS "THE LIGHT, ... THE LIFE, AND THE TRUTH." HE IS THE ANTIDOTE AND REMEDY TO THE CONFUSION OF THE WORLD. HE IS THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR EXALTATION, EVEN JESUS CHRIST. IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> PRESIDENT EYRING: WE ARE GRATEFUL TO ALL WHO HAVE SPOKEN TISE AFTERNOON AND THE MUSIC THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED. WE REMIND INBRETHREN OF THE SESSION WHICH WILL BE HELD THIS EVENING AT 6:00 P.M., MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME. A PREVIOUSLY RECORDED BROADCAST OF MUSIC AND THE SPOKEN WORD WILL BE AIRED TOMORROW MORNING FROM 9:30 TO 10:00 A.M., MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME. THE SUNDAY MORNING SESSION OF CONFERENCE WILL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW. OUR CONCLUDING SPEAKER FOR THIS SESSION WILL BE PRESIDENT M. RUSSELL BALLARD, ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES. FOLLOWING HIS REMARKS, THE CHOIR WILL CLOSE THIS MEETING BY SINGING “REJOICE, THE LORD IS KING!” THE BENEDICTION WILL THEN BE OFFERED BY BROTHER MARK L. PACE, WHO SERVES AS SUNDAY SCHOOL GENERAL PRESIDENT. >> PRESIDENT M. RUSSELL BALLARD: BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THIS EASTER TIME WE FOCUS ON THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. WE REMEMBER HIS LOVING INVITATION TO "COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOUR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU, AND LEARN OF ME; FOR I AM MEEK AND LOWLY IN HEART: AND YE SHALL FIND REST UNTO YOUR SOULS. FOR MY YOKE IS EASY, AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT." THE SAVIOR'S INVITATION TO COME UNTO HIM IS AN INVITATION TO ALL TO NOT ONLY COME UNTO HIM BUT ALSO TO BELONG TO HIS CHURCH. IN THE VERSE PRECEDING THIS LOVING INVITATION, JESUS TEACHES HOW THIS IS DONE BY SEEKING TO FOLLOW HIM. HE DECLARED, "NO MAN [OR WOMAN] KNOWETH THE SON, BUT THE FATHER; NEITHER KNOWETH ANY MAN THE FATHER, SAVE THE SON, AND HE [AND I ADD OR SHE] TO WHOMSOEVER THE SON WILL REVEAL HIM." JESUS WANTS US TO KNOW GOD IS A LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER. KNOWING THAT WE ARE LOVED BY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL HELP US KNOW WHO WE ARE AND KNOW THAT WE BELONG TO HIS GREAT ETERNAL FAMILY. THE MAYO CLINIC RECENTLY NOTED: "HAVING A SENSE OF BELONGING IS SO IMPORTANT. ... NEARLY EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES IS ORGANIZED AROUND BELONGING TO SOMETHING." THIS REPORT ADDS, "WE CANNOT SEPARATE THE IMPORTANCE OF A SENSE OF BELONGING FROM OUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH." AND I WOULD ADD OUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH. ON THE EVENING BEFORE HIS SUFFERING IN GETHSEMANE AND DEATH ON THE CROSS, THE SAVIOR MET WITH HIS DISCIPLES FOR THE LAST SUPPER. HE SAID TO THEM, "IN THE WORLD YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION: BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD." BEFORE THE SUN SET THE FOLLOWING DAY, JESUS CHRIST HAD SUFFERED AND HAD "DIED [ON THE CROSS] FOR OUR SINS." I WONDER HOW THE LONELY FAITHFUL WOMEN AND MEN WHO FOLLOWED HIM MUST HAVE FELT IN JERUSALEM AS THE SUN SET AND DARKNESS AND FEAR ENCOMPASSED THEM. LIKE THESE ANCIENT DISCIPLES NEARLY 2,000 YEARS AGO, MANY OF YOU MAY ALSO FEEL LONELY FROM TIME TO TIME. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS LONELINESS SINCE THE DEATH OF MY PRECIOUS WIFE, BARBARA, OVER TWO YEARS AGO. I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO BE SURROUNDED BY FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, AND ASSOCIATES BUT STILL FEEL LONELY--BECAUSE THE LOVE OF MY LIFE IS NO LONGER HERE BESIDE ME. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS HIGHLIGHTED THIS SENSE OF ISOLATION AND LONELINESS FOR MANY. NEVERTHELESS, DESPITE THE CHALLENGES WE FACE IN LIFE, LIKE THAT FIRST EASTER MORNING, WE CAN AWAKE TO A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST WITH NEW AND MARVELOUS POSSIBILITIES AND NEW REALITIES AS WE TURN TO THE LORD FOR HOPE AND BELONGING. I PERSONALLY FEEL THE PAIN OF THOSE WHO LACK A SENSE OF BELONGING. AS I WATCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, I SEE MANY WHO SEEM TO BE EXPERIENCING THIS LONELINESS. I THINK THAT, FOR MANY, IT IS BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT KNOW THAT THEY ARE LOVED BY HEAVENLY FATHER AND THAT WE ALL BELONG TO HIS ETERNAL FAMILY. BELIEVING THAT GOD LOVES US AND THAT WE ARE HIS CHILDREN IS COMFORTING AND ASSURING. BECAUSE WE ARE THE SPIRIT CHILDREN OF GOD, EVERYONE HAS A DIVINE ORIGIN, NATURE, AND POTENTIAL. EACH OF US IS "A BELOVED SPIRIT SON OR DAUGHTER OF HEAVENLY PARENTS." THIS IS OUR IDENTITY! THIS IS WHO WE REALLY ARE! OUR SPIRITUAL IDENTITY IS ENHANCED AS WE UNDERSTAND OUR MANY MORTAL IDENTITIES, INCLUDING ETHNIC, CULTURAL, OR NATIONAL HERITAGE. THIS SENSE OF SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL IDENTITY, LOVE, AND BELONGING CAN INSPIRE HOPE AND LOVE FOR JESUS CHRIST. I SPEAK OF HOPE IN CHRIST NOT AS WISHFUL THINKING. INSTEAD, I SPEAK OF HOPE AS AN EXPECTATION THAT WILL BE REALIZED. SUCH HOPE IS ESSENTIAL TO OVERCOMING ADVERSITY, FOSTERING SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE AND STRENGTH, AND COMING TO KNOW THAT WE ARE LOVED BY OUR ETERNAL FATHER AND THAT WE ARE HIS CHILDREN, WHO BELONG TO HIS FAMILY. WHEN WE HAVE HOPE IN CHRIST, WE COME TO KNOW THAT AS WE NEED TO MAKE AND KEEP SACRED COVENANTS, OUR FONDEST DESIRES AND DREAMS CAN BE FULFILLED THROUGH HIM. THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES HAVE COUNSELED TOGETHER, IN A SPIRIT OF PRAYER AND WITH A YEARNING TO UNDERSTAND, HOW TO HELP ALL WHO FEEL ALONE OR FEEL THEY DON'T BELONG. WE LONG TO HELP ALL WHO FEEL THIS WAY. LET ME MENTION, IN PARTICULAR, THOSE WHO CURRENTLY ARE SINGLE. BROTHERS AND SISTERS, MORE THAN HALF OF ADULTS IN THE CHURCH TODAY ARE WIDOWED, DIVORCED, OR NOT YET MARRIED. SOME WONDER ABOUT THEIR OPPORTUNITIES AND PLACE IN GOD'S PLAN AND IN THE CHURCH. WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT ETERNAL LIFE IS NOT SIMPLY A QUESTION OF CURRENT MARITAL STATUS BUT OF DISCIPLESHIP AND BEING "VALIANT IN THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS." THE HOPE OF ALL WHO ARE SINGLE IS THE SAME AS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE LORD'S RESTORED CHURCH--ACCESS TO THE GRACE OF CHRIST THROUGH "OBEDIENCE TO THE LAWS AND ORDINANCES OF THE GOSPEL." MAY I SUGGEST THAT THERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND. FIRST, SCRIPTURES AND LATTER-DAY PROPHETS CONFIRM THAT EVERYONE WHO IS FAITHFUL IN KEEPING GOSPEL COVENANTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EXALTATION. PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON TAUGHT: "IN THE LORD'S OWN WAY AND TIME, NO BLESSING WILL BE WITHHELD FROM HIS FAITHFUL SAINTS. THE LORD WILL JUDGE AND REWARD EACH INDIVIDUAL ACCORDING TO HEARTFELT DESIRE AS WELL AS DEED." SECOND, THE PRECISE TIME AND MANNER IN WHICH THE BLESSINGS OF EXALTATION ARE BESTOWED HAVE NOT ALL BEEN REVEALED, BUT THEY ARE NONETHELESS ASSURED. PRESIDENT DALLIN H. OAKS EXPLAINED THAT SOME OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES "OF MORTALITY WILL BE SET RIGHT IN THE MILLENNIUM, WHICH IS THE TIME FOR FULFILLING ALL THAT IS INCOMPLETE IN THE GREAT PLAN OF HAPPINESS FOR ALL OF OUR FATHER'S WORTHY CHILDREN." THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT EVERY BLESSING IS DEFERRED UNTIL THE MILLENNIUM; SOME HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECEIVED, AND OTHERS WILL CONTINUE TO BE RECEIVED UNTIL THAT DAY. THIRD, WAITING UPON THE LORD IMPLIES CONTINUED OBEDIENCE AND SPIRITUAL PROGRESS TOWARD HIM. WAITING UPON THE LORD DOES NOT IMPLY BIDING ONE'S TIME. YOU SHOULD NEVER FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN THE WAITING ROOM. WAITING UPON THE LORD IMPLIES ACTION. I HAVE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS THAT OUR HOPE IN CHRIST INCREASES WHEN WE SERVE OTHERS. SERVING AS JESUS SERVED, WE NATURALLY INCREASE OUR HOPE IN HIM. THE PERSONAL GROWTH ONE CAN ACHIEVE NOW WHILE WAITING UPON THE LORD AND HIS PROMISES IS AN INVALUABLE, SACRED ELEMENT OF HIS PLAN FOR EACH ONE OF US. THE CONTRIBUTIONS ONE CAN MAKE NOW TO HELP BUILD UP THE CHURCH ON EARTH AND TO GATHER ISRAEL ARE MUCH NEEDED. MARITAL STATUS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ONE'S CAPACITY TO SERVE. THE LORD HONORS THOSE WHO SERVE AND WAIT UPON HIM IN PATIENCE AND FAITH. FOURTH, GOD OFFERS ETERNAL LIFE TO ALL OF HIS CHILDREN. ALL THOSE WHO ACCEPT THE SAVIOR'S GIFT OF REPENTANCE AND LIVE HIS COMMANDMENTS WILL RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE, EVEN THOUGH THEY DO NOT ATTAIN TO ALL ITS CHARACTERISTICS AND PERFECTIONS IN MORTALITY. THOSE WHO REPENT WILL EXPERIENCE THE LORD'S READINESS TO FORGIVE AS HE HAS ASSURED: "YEA, AND AS OFTEN AS MY PEOPLE REPENT WILL I FORGIVE THEM THEIR TRESPASSES AGAINST ME." IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, A PERSON'S CAPACITY, DESIRES, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN MATTERS OF AGENCY AND CHOICE, INCLUDING QUALIFICATION FOR ETERNAL BLESSINGS, ARE MATTERS ONLY THE LORD CAN JUDGE. FIFTH, OUR CONFIDENCE IN THESE ASSURANCES IS ROOTED IN OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, BY WHOSE GRACE ALL THINGS PERTAINING TO MORTALITY ARE SET RIGHT. ALL PROMISED BLESSINGS ARE MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH HIM WHO, BY HIS ATONEMENT, "DESCENDED BELOW ALL THINGS" AND HAS "OVERCOME THE WORLD." HE "HATH SAT DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, TO CLAIM OF THE FATHER HIS RIGHTS OF MERCY WHICH HE HATH UPON THE CHILDREN OF MEN[;] ... WHEREFORE HE ADVOCATETH THE CAUSE OF THE CHILDREN OF MEN." IN THE END, "THE SAINTS SHALL BE FILLED WITH HIS GLORY, AND RECEIVE THEIR INHERITANCE" AS "JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST." OUR DESIRE IS THAT THESE PRINCIPLES WILL HELP ALL HAVE INCREASED HOPE IN CHRIST AND FEEL A SENSE OF BELONGING. NEVER FORGET THAT YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD OUR ETERNAL FATHER NOW AND FOREVER. HE LOVES YOU, AND THE CHURCH WANTS AND NEEDS YOU. YES, WE NEED YOU! WE NEED YOUR VOICES, TALENTS, SKILLS, GOODNESS, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. FOR MANY YEARS, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT "YOUNG SINGLE ADULTS," "SINGLE ADULTS," AND "ADULTS." THOSE DESIGNATIONS CAN BE ADMINISTRATIVELY HELPFUL AT TIMES BUT CAN INADVERTENTLY CHANGE HOW WE PERCEIVE OTHERS. IS THERE A WAY TO AVOID THIS HUMAN TENDENCY THAT CAN SEPARATE US FROM ONE ANOTHER? PRESIDENT NELSON ASKED THAT WE REFER TO OURSELVES AS MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THAT SEEMS TO COVER ALL OF US, DOESN'T IT? THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST HAS THE POWER TO UNITE US. WE ARE ULTIMATELY MORE ALIKE THAN WE ARE DIFFERENT. AS MEMBERS OF GOD'S FAMILY, WE ARE TRULY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. PAUL STATED, "AND [GOD] HATH MADE OF ONE BLOOD ALL NATIONS OF MEN FOR TO DWELL ON ... THE FACE OF THE EARTH." TO YOU STAKE PRESIDENTS, BISHOPS, AND QUORUM AND SISTER LEADERS, I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER EVERY MEMBER OF YOUR STAKE, WARD, QUORUM, OR ORGANIZATION AS MEMBERS WHO CAN CONTRIBUTE AND SERVE IN CALLINGS AND PARTICIPATE IN MANY WAYS. EVERY MEMBER IN OUR QUORUMS, ORGANIZATIONS, WARDS, AND STAKES HAS GOD-GIVEN GIFTS AND TALENTS THAT CAN HELP BUILD HIS KINGDOM NOW. LET US CALL UPON OUR MEMBERS WHO ARE SINGLE TO SERVE, LIFT, AND TEACH. DISREGARD OLD NOTIONS AND IDEAS THAT HAVE SOMETIMES UNINTENTIONALLY CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR FEELINGS OF LONELINESS AND THAT THEY DO NOT BELONG OR CANNOT SERVE. I BEAR MY WITNESS ON THIS EASTER WEEKEND OF OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST AND THE ETERNAL HOPE HE GIVES ME AND ALL WHO BELIEVE IN HIS NAME. AND I BEAR THIS TESTIMONY HUMBLY, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. ♪♪ ♪ REJOICE, THE LORD IS KING!
YOUR LORD AND KING ADORE! ♪ ♪ MORTALS, GIVE THANKS AND SING
AND TRIUMPH EVERMORE. ♪ ♪ LIFT UP YOUR HEART!
LIFT UP YOUR VOICE! ♪ ♪ REJOICE, AGAIN
I SAY, REJOICE! ♪ ♪ LIFT UP YOUR HEART!
LIFT UP YOUR VOICE! ♪ ♪ REJOICE, AGAIN
I SAY, REJOICE! ♪ ♪♪ ♪ THE LORD, THE SAVIOR, REIGNS,
THE GOD OF TRUTH AND LOVE. ♪ ♪ WHEN HE HAD PURGED OUR STAINS,
HE TOOK HIS SEAT ABOVE. ♪ ♪ LIFT UP YOUR HEART!
LIFT UP YOUR VOICE! ♪ ♪ REJOICE, AGAIN
I SAY, REJOICE! ♪ ♪ LIFT UP YOUR HEART!
LIFT UP YOUR VOICE! ♪ ♪ REJOICE, AGAIN
I SAY, REJOICE! ♪ ♪♪ ♪ HIS KINGDOM CANNOT FAIL; HE
RULES O'ER EARTH AND HEAV'N. ♪ ♪ THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HELL
TO CHRIST THE LORD ARE GIV'N. ♪ ♪ LIFT UP YOUR HEART!
LIFT UP YOUR VOICE! ♪ ♪ REJOICE, AGAIN
I SAY, REJOICE! ♪ ♪ LIFT UP YOUR HEART!
LIFT UP YOUR VOICE! ♪ ♪ REJOICE, AGAIN
I SAY, REJOICE! ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ REJOICE IN GLORIOUS HOPE! OUR
LORD AND JUDGE SHALL COME ♪ ♪ AND TAKE HIS SERVANTS UP TO
THEIR ETERNAL HOME ♪ ♪ LIFT UP YOUR HEART!
LIFT UP YOUR VOICE! ♪ ♪ REJOICE, AGAIN I SAY,
REJOICE! ♪ ♪ LIFT UP YOUR HEART!
LIFT UP YOUR VOICE! ♪ ♪ REJOICE, AGAIN I SAY,
REJOICE! ♪ ♪♪ ♪ LIFT UP YOUR HEART!
LIFT UP YOUR VOICE! ♪ ♪ REJOICE, AGAIN I SAY,
REJOICE! ♪ ♪♪ ♪ REJOICE! ♪♪ ♪♪ >> BROTHER MARK L. PACE: OUR DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, OUR HEAD THANKFULNESS. WE REJOICE IN THE TEACHINGS THAT WE HAVE HEARD THIS DAY. THE SPIRIT HAS WITNESSED TO US OF THE TRUTHFULNESS AND WE THANK THEE FOR THE SWEETNESS OF THIS TIME AND FOR THE BLESSING IT HAS BEEN TO US. WE LOVE THEE. WE LOVE THY SON JESUS CHRIST. WE LOVE LEARNING OF HIM AND WE LOVE LEARNING HOW TO LIVE HIS GOSPEL IN THIS WORLDS AT THIS TIME. WE THANK THEE FOR PRESIDENT NELSON, FOR HIS INSPIRED LEADERSHIP AND THANK THEE FOR ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY AND THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE AND THE INSPIRED GUIDANCE AND BLESSING TO US. THANK THEE AGAIN, HEAVENLY FATHER, FOR THIS SWEET TIME, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> LLOYD NEWELL: THIS HAS ♪♪ >> LLOYD NEWELL: THIS HAS BEEN A BROADCAST OF THE SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION OF THE 191ST ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. SPEAKERS WERE SELECTED FROM THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES AND GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH. MUSIC FOR THIS SESSION WAS PROVIDED BY THE TABERNACLE CHOIR AT TEMPLE SQUARE FORM PREVIOUS GENERAL CONFERENCES. THIS BROADCAST HAS BEEN FURNISHED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE BY BONNEVILLE DISTRIBUTION. ANY REPRODUCTION, RECORDING, TRANSCRIPTION OR OTHER USE OF THIS PROGRAM WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT IS PROHIBITED. ♪♪ CLOSED CAPTIONING BY
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS COMMENTS TO DEAFSUPPORT@
CHURCHOFJESUSCHRIST.ORG BUT INSTEAD OF
GETTING MAD AT ME, HE TAUGHT ME A LESSON
I'LL NEVER FORGET. THE BALL I WAS THROWING
WAS DAMAGING THE FENCE. AND MY DAD TOLD ME THAT HARSH WORDS
CAN BE EVEN MORE DESTRUCTIVE. LIFE'S MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS
ARE BEST LEARNED IN THE HOME. HOW YOU DOIN', JACK? COULDN'T BE BETTER. HOW YOU DOIN', JACK? COULDN'T BE BETTER. HOW YOU DOIN', JACK? COULDN'T BE BETTER. WHAT? JUST THINKING ABOUT JACK
OVER THERE. DOESN'T HE EVER HAVE
ANYTHING IMPORTANT TO DO? WHAT? HEY, MAX.
HOW YOU DOIN'? COULDN'T BE BETTER. WHERE YOU GOIN'? OVER NEXT DOOR
TO PLAY. WELL, I CAN PLAY
WITH YOU. IT'S OKAY, DAD.
I KNOW YOU'RE BUSY. <i> GIVE YOU FAMILY EVERYTHING,
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.</i> [MUSIC PLAYING] The gathering of
Israel is a miracle. It is like an enormous
puzzle whose pieces will be set in place prior
to the glorious events of the second coming. Just as we might be perplexed
with a mountain of puzzle pieces, the early saints
must have seen the commission to take the restored gospel
to all the world as a nearly impossible task. But they began one
person, one puzzle piece at a time finding the straight
edges working to rightly frame this divine work. Little by little, the
stone cut without hands began to roll forth from
hundreds to thousands to tens of thousands and now
millions of covenant latter day saints across every
nation are connecting the puzzle pieces of this
marvelous work and a wonder. Each of us is a piece of
the puzzle, and each of us helps to set in place
other essential pieces. To our amazing youth and
young adults across the world I give a special
invitation and challenge to be witnesses of God. Those who surround you are
open to spiritual inquiry. You do not come to the
table with empty hands, but with technology and
social media at your command. We need you. The Lord needs you to
be even more engaged in this great cause. Be open about your
faith in Christ. When the occasion
presents itself speak of His life,
His teachings, and His incomparable
gift to all mankind. Our view ahead is now clear. We can see the
miracle continuing and the Lord's hand
guiding us as we complete the gaps that remain. Then the great Jehovah
shall say the work is done, and He will return
in majesty and glory. [MUSIC PLAYING] TAKING UP TRAIL RUNNING
HAS BEEN FANTASTIC FOR ME. I LOVE BEING OUT
IN THE WILDERNESS. I LOVE TO SEE THE
BEAUTY OF THE TREES. IT GIVES ME A CHANCE TO PONDER. AND A LOT OF TIMES
I FIND MYSELF, AS I'M RUNNING,
PONDERING SCRIPTURES THAT ARE IN THE BOOK OF MORMON. AND IT HELPS ME SOLVE
PROBLEMS IN MY LIFE. MORONI CHAPTER 7,
VERSE 13: "BUT BEHOLD, THAT WHICH IS OF GOD
INVITETH AND ENTICETH TO DO GOOD CONTINUALLY;
WHEREFORE, EVERY THING WHICH INVITETH AND ENTICETH TO
DO GOOD, AND TO LOVE GOD, AND TO SERVE HIM,
IS INSPIRED OF GOD." AS YOU PRAYERFULLY STUDY THE
BOOK OF MORMON EVERY DAY, I PROMISE THAT AS YOU
PONDER WHAT YOU STUDY, THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN WILL OPEN,
AND YOU WILL RECEIVE ANSWERS TO YOUR OWN QUESTIONS AND
DIRECTION FOR YOUR OWN LIFE. [MUSIC PLAYING] Life's personal trials stretch
far beyond this pandemic. Future trials could
result from an accident, a natural disaster, or an
unexpected personal heartache. How can we endure such trials? The Lord has told us
that "if ye are prepared, you shall not fear." Of course, we can
store our own reserves of food, water, and savings. But equally crucial
is our need to fill our personal spiritual
storehouses with faith, truth, and testimony. Our ultimate quest in life is
to prepare to meet our Maker. We do this by striving
daily to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. And we do that as we
repent daily and receive His cleansing, healing,
and strengthening power. Then, we can feel
enduring peace and joy, even during turbulent times. This is exactly why
the Lord has implored us to stand in holy
places and be not moved. I know that God,
our Heavenly Father, and his son, Jesus
Christ, are mindful of us. We are to seek, in
every way we can, to hear Jesus Christ,
who speaks to us through the power and
ministering of the Holy Ghost. Because when we seek
to truly hear His Son, we will be guided to know what
to do in any circumstance. (gentle music) - [Narrator] This
is the World Report, of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 2021. Coming up, The
Church's partnership with Black 14 Philanthropy heals wounds from the past and
brings hope to the present. In the face of
fires, hurricanes, and other disasters, the Church's Helping Hands
rebuild communities in need, but first, physical,
emotional, and spiritual, the Church's COVID-19 response
continues to bring peace and healing to the world. As the world
continues to grapple with the ongoing
coronavirus pandemic, The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, has remained dedicated to
fortifying the physical, emotional, and spiritual
needs of the world. In November, global faith
leader Russell M. Nelson shared a message about
the power gratitude has in the lives of those
who are struggling. - No matter our situation, showing gratitude
for our privileges, is a fast-acting and long
lasting spiritual prescription. - [Narrator] In his
message, President Nelson invited the world to
turn their social media into personal
gratitude journals. And he called upon people
to pray amid personal and civil unrest. - [Narrator] Latter-day
Saint Charities, the humanitarian
arm of the Church, announced its largest single
donation to an organization. To support UNICEF's
efforts to protect children during the pandemic. - We are pleased to offer a
$20 million donation, to UNICEF to support the
global COVAX project, which seeks to provide two
billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to vulnerable populations
and healthcare workers in over 90 developing countries. - [Narrator] Days following
a joint news release, Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé, provided UNICEF with
a thank you video, explaining the critical value
of the need and partnership. - As members of a
global community, we hold hope in our hearts, not only of overcoming
the pandemic, but of seeing a brighter
future for all children, their parents and
their families. This future becomes a reality as we follow the
example of Jesus Christ in loving our neighbor and
seeking out those in need. This donation is in addition to more than one thousand
other COVID-19 relief projects, the Church and its members have
supported in 152 countries, and it represents a
small part of ongoing and future efforts to
relieve suffering worldwide. - [Narrator] Bishop Caussé
also thanked Church members and UNICEF. - We are grateful to the members
of our Church and friends who have made this
donation possible through their
generous contributions to the Humanitarian
Fund of the Church. We also express gratitude to
UNICEF's team and organization. You have done so much
to care for children and their families and help them meet their basic needs
and it's their potential. - [Narrator] Under
the guidelines issued by local health officials and as a part of their ongoing
support of immunizations and vaccinations, the
Church's First Presidency, along with some members of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and their spouse,
received COVID-19
vaccinations in January. In an online statement, the First Presidency
urged Church members to help quell the pandemic
by safeguarding themselves and others through immunization. The First Presidency
further stated that individuals are responsible for making their own
decisions about vaccination. - [Narrator] The call
to feed the hungry has always been a commission
of Jesus Christ and His Church, but since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people in need
of food has risen dramatically. During a visit to New York
City in February of 2020, just prior to the pandemic, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles, announced that the Church would donate food to
200 local pantries in more than 50 cities
throughout the state, marking the 200th anniversary
of the first time, God the Father and
His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith, an event known as
the First Vision. - We've been
blessed by the Lord, we've been blessed
by the generosity of the members of the Church and been able to, in this way, help in a great humanitarian
cause in a crucial year and situation that
none of us anticipated. (forklift sounds) - [Narrator] As part of the
year-long commemoration, more than 35 truckloads
of food and commodities were shipped to New York from the Bishop's
Central Storehouse, in Salt Lake City, Utah. - We've got about
135 contributions to food pantries in
the New York City area because of the great need and because of all that
is occurring at this time during a pandemic. It's as if the Lord
knew in advance, that there would be a need
and provided an opportunity to provide for that need. - [Narrator] Throughout
the pandemic, the Emeryville Citizens
Assistance Program or ECAP, Oakland, California,
has been helping people in dire circumstances
on a daily basis. - We were already
servicing a lot of people. As COVID continues,
the lines grow longer. (forklift creaking) - [Narrator] And just
recently, Miller says he received a special invitation from The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints to join Latter-day
Saint volunteers, members of other faiths, and
community based organizations (forklift beeping) - [Narrator] In the parking
lot of the Oakland California Temple, to help offload, transport, and distribute
80,000 pounds of food donated from the US
Department of Agriculture's Farmers to Families
Food Box program. - Thank you. - [Narrator] To some of
Oakland and San Francisco's hardest hit residents. - We gather here on
temple hill in Oakland, invited many local
churches, food pantries, other places that
serve the homeless and others to come here
and pick up the food. And we've coordinated
the logistics to make all that happen. - This is an example of
blessed are they that do, not those that preach about
only what needs to be done, but they know how to do it, and they practice
what they preach. - We Francisco's consider
ourselves ECAP and LDS, we consider ourselves a
big family here together. All working together
to try to do something to help the people that
really need it the most. - [Narrator] From the
Navajo Nation in the American Southwest, to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
on the Fort Hall Reservation in Southeastern Idaho, dozens of trucks from the
US Department of Agriculture have delivered more than 3.5
million pounds of fresh food to locations where
Latter-day Saint volunteers are handing out food boxes to Native American
families in need. - We have about
6,000 tribal members on the Fort Hall Reservation, and I have seen a
majority of families coming and taking advantage of
the food distribution boxes. - As a member of the Church and also as a member of
the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, to see these two
communities come together and to serve each other
and be able to bless lives has been close to my heart. - [Man] Okay, you guys are
full. Have a great day. - [Narrator] Coming up: - I had the biggest picket sign walking in front
of Sunday services. - Healing wounds from the past and providing hope in the
present-after 50 years, the Church and Black 14
Philanthropy unite to serve. (gentle music) (boxes ramming) - [Narrator] These
special labels represent a collaborative effort between The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. - You do it like this? - [Narrator] And the
Black 14 Philanthropy, 50 years in the making,
born out of redemption, forgiveness, and healing. - So all of this. To see miraculously how
this has all come together has been one of the
most amazing things I've ever been a part of. - [Narrator] Nine trucks
loaded with 350,000 pounds of nonperishable food (truck cranking) delivered to cities
across the United States just days before Thanksgiving, the country's holiday to
reflect on gratitude. Appropriately, it ended
where the idea began: Wilmington, North Carolina,
the hometown of Mel Hamilton, a member of the Black 14. Mel says he was inspired
by a plea on the radio to help those suffering
from lack of food. - God ascends in all of this. And so He took me and
told me to do this, and here we are today. - [Narrator] Mel reached
out to the Church, and history was made. - He reaches out to me and said, "Will you help?" And I said, "What do you need?" And the basic message was:
we really care about you, let us help. Let us mend the fences. Let us put the past in the past
and just look to the future about what I've
trying to accomplish. - [Narrator] But the
collaboration between the Church and Black 14 Philanthropy
has its roots in a contentious
incident back in 1969. Fourteen black players of the University of
Wyoming football team wanted to wear black armbands for their matchup against
Brigham Young University to protest a Church
policy at the time that didn't allow black
men to hold the priesthood. The Black 14's desire to protest resulted in their
dismissal from the team. The decision caused a
rift between students and university administrators, division in the
Laramie community, and hard feelings toward
BYU, that lasted decades. But an experience in 2005 at the Church's Institute
of Religion on campus, changed Mel's perspective and began the mending
of wounded hearts. - We invited Mel to come
and speak at the institute. He said, "I can't believe it, I picketed this building the year I was kicked
off the football team." - I had the biggest picket
sign you can imagine, walking in front
of Sunday services. - [Narrator] During that visit, Mel witnessed the association
of Black student leaders and Latter-day Saint Students, joined in making and
handing out armbands, a tradition to
remember the Black 14 whenever the Cowboys
and Cougars play. - I just broke down and cried, and I did not believe that
would ever happen. I had to, at that point, let people know that the LDS were my friends and never were my enemies. - [Narrator] From there,
Mel and his family were invited to visit
Church headquarters and its humanitarian
food production and distribution operation. - [Mel] It was very
impressive, the organization, and I had no Idea that they
did all the things that you do, especially in the way
of feeding people. - [Narrator] They also
attended general conference and were introduced
to Church leaders such as fellow gridiron athlete and former BYU
All-American quarterback and NFL quarterback,
Gifford Nielsen, now a General Authority
in the Church. Things clicked. - So, when I first met Mel, we had this instant connection
because I'm a quarterback and he's an offensive lineman. - God knows what He's doing, and He put us together,
and it was instant. - [Narrator] That newly found
friendship moved mountains, mountains of food, to grateful communities
straining under
current conditions. 86,000 pounds of food made
its way to the Cathedral Home, the University of Wyoming, and the Wind River
Indian Reservation, home of the Northern Arapaho
and Eastern Shoshone tribes. It means a great deal to
have the food delivered. The kids that live
here at Cathedral Home are with us for 9 to 12 months, so that's three meals
a day for a year. We normally distribute about 200 to 300 pounds
of food per week. So, if you do the math,
20,000 pounds of food is going to sustain us
for a very long time. (machine creaking) We are about a 70
percent unemployment rate here on the reservation. And there is unfortunately
a lot of poverty and low-income families that
really will benefit from this. - [Narrator] The food donation
set in motion a positive synergy between the Church
and Black 14 Philanthropy that's already paying dividends. The partnership is already
producing Black 14 T-shirts like this, that will
include the BYU logo and possibly the
UW logo as well. Proceeds will help young people
with education and hunger. - [Mel] God works
in mysterious ways. I've met some fine people. I've got a new
direction late in life to do something
further to help people. - [Nielsen] There are going
to be so many more stories coming out of this. This is only the beginning really of a miraculous
coming together. (gentle music) - [Narrator] When we come back: - They were
able to take that tragedy and turn it into
a miracle of love. - [Narrator] From
Oregon to Louisiana, from Salt Lake City
to the Navajo Nation, in the aftermath of disaster, Helping Hands provide
food, shelter and love. (gentle music) - [Narrator] In early September, heavy damage caused by a
severe canyon windstorm in northern Utah, (bulldozer rumbles) is providing assistance
to a community in great need some
300 miles away. - Yeah, this is just incredible. I can't say thank you enough. I'm going to cry. - [Narrator] The near
100-mile-per-hour winds, damaged homes and property, triggered widespread
power outages, and caused at least one death. - This one that we
had a couple weeks ago knocked a lot of trees over, power lines down. We went around the
neighborhood we cut up trees and that, to get them
off people's lawns. So, if we can come here and
put this wood to good use, then I'm all for it. - [Narrator] In the aftermath,
thousands of volunteers, many of them Latter-day Saints and others throughout the area, answered the first
call to help neighbors and strangers alike, with a massive cleanup, including the countless
destroyed or heavily
damaged trees. (wood thudding) With news of the windstorm
making headlines, southeastern Utah
Navajo Nation residents and community leaders,
including Pete Sands, issued a second call for help. - You know, when
I first started, it was just me going out and
collecting firewood on my own. People heard what I was
doing and wanted to help. - With COVID-19, most of the people on
the Navajo reservation haven't been able
to gather wood. And that may not sound
like that big a deal to us, but to them it's the only heat and generally the only
way they can cook food. (wood thudding) This solved what could have
been a horrible disaster for them, and it
will bless lives in ways that we it's
even begin to imagine. (bulldozer whining) - [Narrator] In just
over three weeks and with the help
of various partners, including The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, the state of Utah, Salt
Lake County government, and Utah Navajo Health
System, among others. (truck whining ) Eighty truck drivers carrying over three million
pounds of wood and counting are making their way to
Native Americans across Utah as part of the project. - Everyone who's involved has been willing to
freely donate their time, their trucks, the fuel. It just shows the generosity
of this community. - It's a tragedy to see
those trees go down, but they were able
to take that tragedy and turn it into
a miracle of love, a feeling of warmth that
is not just in the wood that will burn, but the hearts
that will swell with love. It'll give for a long time. (fire roaring) - [Narrator] 2020 is the
worst fire season on record along the US West Coast. (debris clattering) And in the aftermath,
Latter-day Saints are helping rebuild lives. In early September,
fast-moving fires destroyed more than 2,300 homes in the Rogue Valley
near Medford, Oregon. - My family lost their home. My mom lost her
whole entire house. - You see so
much devastation here, and it can really
kind of get you down. You just drive through
Talent and Phoenix and just see block after block
after block of burned homes. (speaking in Spanish) - [Narrator] The Gonzalez
family lost their home in the fire.
Taylor and Anne Cropper, a Latter-day Saint family
with five children, invited the family
to stay with them after learning they
had nowhere to go. - And so this is
a really nice way to feel like to kind of
remove some of that pain that you see. You get to know that you're
actually making a difference in someone's life. (people chattering) - [Narrator] Missionaries from
the Oregon Eugene Mission, of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteered at the expo where a shelter was set
up for fire evacuees. (debris clattering) Local Church leaders in Oregon quickly jumped into action
to serve their congregations and neighbors even
though many of them were evacuated from their homes. - This has given me
a bird's-eye view of like the best of people. We've had cars donated,
we've had money donated, we've had housing
situations donated. People are so very good. - I thought I had a clue
of what I would be seeing. And then when I
came through here, it was far worse
than I expected. - [Narrator] Fire
devastated the town of Otis near the Oregon coast. (boxes ruffling) Food boxes were assembled and given away to any in need. - In a two-person
box, they would have some cold cereal, pancake mix. - We determined that what
we really needed to do was to bring food and water into the areas where
people were coming back. We knew those were
things they could need. - I've delivered three sets
to three different widows that lost everything. And all three of them broke
into tears crying, thankful 'cause they didn't know how
they were going to eat dinner that night. - We talk about and we read
about being firm and steadfast, and I'm so grateful that I have my testimony to rely upon, that I have Church members
that can buoy me up when I'm feeling weak. (books closing) (utensils clattering) - [Narrator] Like
clockwork each week, missionaries change from
dress shirts and ties. (Car door slamming) into jeans and t-shirts. (car engine) To give much-needed service to a community suffering
from the fallout of a COVID-caused lockdowns. (people chattering) During the first few
weeks of the pandemic, more than 250 missionaries in the California San Jose
Mission, were locked down. - We were stuck
inside our apartments, had nothing to do. - But the thing that
really was the saving grace was them doing humanitarian
service projects. - We went to work
immediately with partners and are enormously grateful
that great partners like Second Harvest Food Bank
and the Latter-day Saints stepped up immediately. - We had this
opportunity to come out, and then we came here and we just started putting
produce in boxes. - It has helped tremendously
for their spirits, their mental health
and wellbeing to be able to get out and serve. - We're called a food bank, but really when you
look at our warehouses and our fleet of trucks, it's really important
to recognize the
huge scale we have. - [Narrator] Second
Harvest distributes about 12 million pounds
of food each month, that's fresh and
nonperishable sustenance to about half a million people. - Now you know that each
box that you put out, it's a family, it's someone
that you're feeding. you're serving God's children. (boxes thudding) - [Narrator] Over
the past 10 months, missionaries have exceeded
13,000 volunteer hours at second harvest, more than any
other organization. - I can't even put into
words the gratitude we have. There is no way we
would have been able to ramp up like this without
that consistent support. - [Narrator] Each
week, dozens of trucks leave Second Harvest
loaded with food. (truck engine) That includes boxes packed
by missionary hands. (boxes thudding) The Portuguese Community
Center in San Jose, is one of those locations where missionary-packed
boxes of groceries, are distributed prepared, meals are delivered
to the homebound and Latter-day Saint
missionaries are there to help. - We are giving out food but also just taking the time to really talk with them, trying to just
brighten up their day, spread some positivity
when they need it 'cause it's hard out there. - [Narrator] Those
accepting these offerings and perhaps a kind word,
say it's indeed a blessing when trying to make ends
meet in such difficult times. - We don't need to worry. There's food in the house, I have a little son,
he's just two years old, it helps a lot. - [Narrator] About 30 miles
southeast of San Jose, elders and sisters
serving in Morgan Hill have filled another
important need. - Good job. - Everything's folded. If it's not good enough
for my own grandchildren, nobody gets it. - [Narrator] Cecilia, with
the help of her husband Gary, has worked hard to serve
those in need in her community by offering a food pantry,
clothing, and more. Necessity, born out
of the COVID-crisis, inspired another service, "Para los Niños":
"For the Children." - [Cecilia] It's free tutoring because these families
do not have internet. - [Narrator] To make it work, skilled volunteers were needed. - Missionaries have been
coming to us for six years. So they jumped right in,
and they all speak Spanish. That is the beauty of it. (speaking in Spanish) - Kids, their native language
is basically English. That's where we come in. We help the parents
understand more English and help the kids
understand their homework. (speaking in Spanish) - [Narrator] Diana says
she's grateful for the help with her children's homework. (speaking in Spanish) - [Narrator] Morgan Hill
mayo, Rich Constantine says it warms his heart to
see the outpouring of support for those in need in his city. - Hi Joy, Rich Constantine, let me give you the elbow there. As a small city, we
don't have the resources, so we have to really
rely on our community and especially The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints helping out Cecilia and
other organizations. If we didn't have
those organizations, the city would not be
thriving the way it is now. - [Narrator] All combined,
elders and sisters of the San Jose mission have volunteered more than
25,000 hours in 10 months. That's more than
3,100 working days. - [Gary] These hours
that they're putting in are not just exclusively
for them as a missionary, but they're truly
finding themselves to be a fellow citizen in Christ. - [Narrator] These acts
of kindness are not unique to this mission, they're happening in communities all over the world right now, dedicated missionaries
performing countless
hours of service wherever they're needed. (gentle music) - God sent crew. I believe in God and
I know it's of God. And this crew here,
taking down the trees that are down in the yard and God knows I appreciate that. - [Narrator] In a
period of six weeks, three hurricanes struck the
Gulf Coast from southeast Texas, to the Florida Panhandle. (bulldozer whining) With each disaster, The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints organizes before and after
to provide a helping hand. And here's how. - Once we see something
brewing in the Atlantic or in the Gulf, we'll try to determine
where a command center should be set up. As a command center staff, you start showing up at
least Friday by noon. You guys are making
calls, right? We coordinate with the
Bishops' Storehouse for the truck to arrive, (truck beeping) so that the supplies can be
unloaded and staged properly. We've learned that the
full-time missionaries are a great resource. (laughing) This disaster has allowed
them to get into the community but also feel like
they can give service. - Thank you so much for this
opportunity to come help you. - Teams start arriving
at night and checking in. Come over here, we can check in. Some of these workers have
driven six, seven hours, to be there. - Are you camping here? - Yes, I'm right here. - The team
captain is the one coming in and grabbing the work orders, and I've assigning that work. - They're
geographically together. - That's what the
command center's job is, is to prioritize
those work orders to identify where to send all of these volunteers
that are coming in. - This is gonna be mostly done, so I'm thinking maybe, like,
start here and go west. - So that we make
the greatest impact
in the community. It's amazing to see the
unification that happens when a stake or ward
donates volunteers. - Number 97. - Number 97, OK. - OK, so mostly trees and tarps. - They become
unified in the gospel, all age, race, color, all those divisions
are wiped away when they're out
just helping someone. - We're here because
we love to serve, and we show love and
kindness to others like the Savior did. - It's just a godsend
coalition of Jesus's followers. I'm Catholic, and I have
Mormons and Baptists helping me clean my yard. (power saw buzzing) - [Michael] The Lord commands
us to let our light so shine. And I think that's why we
picked the color yellow, so that we shine
and to provide light for those that are maybe
sitting in darkness after a disaster. - [Group] Amen. - This tree right here is the
one that fell on my house. And I was in the
bedroom when it fell. I called for help, and they
came and helped me today, which was such a blessing. - After one of these
storms comes through, it makes you feel like your
whole life is upside down. To be able to see the
emotions and the people that I've helping, just a really very
spiritual, emotional day. - [Michael] On Sunday morning
when the workers wake up, they're able to gather
together in their own team at their campsite and
have the sacrament. (gentle music) And they're able to start
the Sabbath day off right. - We gather today, so that we can serve. - And be able to go out and work a few work orders, but it gives them that
spiritual protection, reminding them that when
you're in the service of your fellow man, you're
in the service of our God. (gentle music) - [Narrator] Up next:
In a world of unrest, the First Presidency and the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles bring their witness of
Christ to the world. And later: Latter-day
Saint Charities and the Greek Orthodox nun partner in a unique
way to feed the hungry. (gentle music) (hymn singing) (speaking in French) - [Narrator] Apostle Neil L.
Andersen and his wife, Kathy, brought a familiar message to French-speaking
Latter-day Saints, a message of hope and faith. (speaking in French) - [Narrator] Held in
February and March, a series of six virtual
area devotionals were held with six apostles, reaching Latter-day Saints ages
18 to 30 on every continent. (gentle music) - Elders and sisters can
you see us? Can you hear us? You look good. We love and admire you, as you serve in these
challenging times. - [Narrator] Holding
a virtual devotional for missionaries
around the world, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles, talked about the
power of technology in modern missionary work. - Using your smartphone
you find, teach and guide people toward baptism, who are living
thousands of miles away and sometimes might not
even speak your language. (singing in French) You use your smartphones to make impressive
video productions. - Just because I've
behind a screen doesn't mean I've providing
people entertainment. We are helping people come
closer to Jesus Christ and providing them with
spiritual nourishment. We and the people we teach, can come closer to our
Savior Jesus Christ. - Each of you has
specific gifts. Use them, share them, help each other
to discover them, and the Lord will
hasten the work. - The world is a fragile place. - [Narrator] At the Fort Worth
Summit for Religious Freedom in October, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles, talked about how
to safely navigate the sharp differences
of opinion and views that have arisen amid
the recent pandemic and worldwide unrest. - Societies flourish when both
law and culture recognize, respect, and protect the
value of each person. - I'm grateful and honored
to participate with you in this G20 Interfaith forum. - [Narrator] Speaking
about the essential nature of religious freedom
during the pandemic, Elder David A. Bednar of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles became the fourth Church leader to speak at the G20
Interfaith Forum, hosted virtually this past
October by Saudi Arabia. - My call is for respect,
accommodation and cooperation for creative solutions that
mitigate the threat of COVD19, while not cutting people off from an essential
part of their lives. - Only the gospel
of Jesus Christ can unite and bring peace
to people of all races and nationalities. - [Narrator] Following
an increase in societal and racial tensions in
the United States in 2020, Dallin H. Oaks of the
Church's First Presidency spoke at a devotional
on the campus of Brigham Young University, where he addressed the topics
of racism, building bridges, and healing by
looking to the future. - We who believe in that gospel, whatever our origins, must unite in love of each other and our Savior Jesus Christ. Let us not open a
quarrel between the
past and the present, lest we jeopardize our
attempts to improve our future. ♪ Let us build a house
where love may dwell. ♪ - [Narrator] At the
start of the new year, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, held a fireside broadcast for the Church's 2.3 million
single adults, ages 18 to 30 where he invited them
to receive the blessings of three special invitations. - Be still and know
that God is God. Let His goodness, His creations
stir your imagination, calm and assure your heart. Change the future now. Nurture multigenerational
relationships that will bless you and those
around you for years to come. And trust the Lord
of the harvest to help you become a better you. - I am pleased to announce
plans for the construction of six new temples. - [Narrator] Coming up:
New temples are announced, ground is broken for
record number of temples, and operating temples
begin to reopen. We'll take you there. (gentle music) - [Narrator] Despite
the global pandemic, the rapid growth
of temple building continues around the world. - Now I am pleased to announce
plans for the construction of six new temples. - [Narrator] In the
October general conference, President Russell M.
Nelson announced plans to construct new temples in: Tarawa, Kiribati, Port Vila, Vanuatu, Lindon, Utah, Greater Guatemala
City, Guatemala, São Paulo East, Brazil, and Santa Cruz, Bolivia. - [Narrator] Since the
October general conference, ground has been broken for 13
previously announced temples. In the United States, ground
was broken for temples in Moses Lake, Washington, Taylorsville and
Red Cliffs, Utah, Bentonville, Arkansas
and McAllen, Texas. - [Narraotr] In Central and
South America, ground was broken
for temples in Salta and Mendoza,
Argentina Cobán, Guatemala and Antofagasta, Chile. - [Narrator] In
the Pacific, Asia, and the continent of Africa, ground was broken for
temples in Bengaluru, India, Okinawa, Japan, Davao, Philippines
and Harare, Zimbabwe. - Welcome to the Phase
3, Temple experience. Your time in the temple
in this new phase of temple reopening, will feel
both familiar and different. - [Narrator] In May
2020, the Church began reopening existing temples
using a COVID-cautious, four-phase approach. Many temples have already
moved through phases 1 and 2, and in December, the First
Presidency of the Church announced that select
temples would begin Phase 3. This allows for all temple
ordinances to be performed, but with a limited capacity. Temple visits need to
be scheduled in advance, and full COVID-19
safety guidelines must be followed
while in attendance. A list of temples
entering Phase 3, as well as detailed safety
and scheduling guidelines, are available at
Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org (bulldozer rumbling) - [Narrator] The Temple
Square renovation project continues in Salt Lake
City with a new phase: repairing leaky concrete
decking on the east plaza which sits atop an
employee parking garage and creating new landscaping
with a global feel. - We'll have a large
circle of flags here from many
nations of the world, that will help celebrate
the international nature of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. - [Narrator] With an end result, to directs more focus
towards the temple. - [Andy] The landscaping
on this plaza and around the temple will
open up access to the temple and make it more inviting for
people to feel welcome here. - [Narrator] Work also
progresses at the temple site. Stones are being removed
with the help of scaffolding and a crane. (machine creaking) Interlocking pilings
will shore up the soil around the foundation
of the temple for the seismic base
isolation system. Excavation nears completion for
the new three-level addition as drilling begins on a tunnel that will connect to
the Conference Center. This was accomplished even
during a tumultuous 2020. - [Andy] We've had pandemic, we've had earthquake
and major wind storms but the work for
renewing the temple has continued in full force. - [Narrator] And renewed
optimism for what lies ahead. - I find miracles in
seeking answers to problems and solutions to
this difficult work, and I know that the
Lord is guiding us. - [Narrator] United across
continents and time, the Young Women
organization turns 150. - [Narrator] The virtual
2021 Youth Music Festival shares testimony through song. And the first Friend
to Friend event connects Primary
children in 13 languages. These stories and
more, "In the News." (upbeat music) - [Narrator] Latter-day Saints
in communities across Texas are serving their neighbors
after a winter storm with record breaking snow,
ice and cold hit the State leaving millions of people
without power food and water. 36 semi truckloads of food,
water and other supplies from the Bishops'
Central Storehouse, were sent to communities
throughout the affected area. - Latter-day saints
have been so fantastic to bless us with water
that we can pass on and give to those
neighbors in need. - [Narrator] In late February, more than 1 million
family history enthusiasts in over 235 countries,
participated in
Roots Tech Connect 2021, making this the
largest gathering in the event's 10-year history. - [Jeffery] That's what
family is all about. - [Narrator] Participants
heard from special keynote speakers including
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles and his wife, Patricia. - You are now, and will be then, part of a family. ♪ Our shadow by day ♪ And our pillar - [Narrator] In November, young
women from around the world gathered to celebrate
the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Church's
Young Women organization, commemorated by a
multilingual broadcast from the Conference
Center in Salt Lake City. - Our hopes are that
young women watching this will feel part of something. They'll feel like they belong
to hundreds of thousands of young women across the globe who share their values
and their commitment to Jesus Christ. ♪ Free my soul ♪ Oh oh ooh ♪ Oh oh - [Narrator] The
strength of testimony shared through the
power of music, the 2021 Virtual
Youth Music Festival was live-streamed in March, featuring personal testimonies and music by the youth of the
Church from around the world. - Music is the best way
to spread the gospel and a message that you
want other people to hear throughout the world. ♪ Oh oh ooh. (upbeat Latin music) - [Narrator] Luz de las
Naciones, Light of the Nations, held a virtual performance
in November and December, broadcasting a virtual Hispanic
choir and video highlights from past performances. The Latino musical
production showcased more than one thousand cast
members, dancers, singers, and performers,
sharing the culture and faith of Latter-day Saints
throughout Latin America. (crowd cheering) - Hi everyone, I'm Payson. - And I'm Brianna. - [Narrator] Hosted
by Primary children and broadcast in 13 languages, the first-ever Friend to Friend
event, was held in March. The activity-packed program invited children to
participate in arts and crafts, sing-alongs, and messages to help them learn more
about Jesus Christ. The program is also
available in shorter segments that children, parents,
and Church leaders can use in their
at-home gospel study. (gentle music) - [Narrator] On the outside, a
shipping container, on the inside, a miracle. We'll take you to the
mobile automatic bakery that's feeding
thousands of families. - [Michael] It's a
biblical anecdote to be able to share bread,
It's a spiritual experience. - If you look at some
of the pictures of children holding pieces of bread and eating that
bread, warm bread, you can only imagine
what that means. - [Narrator] In northern Syria, is a camp that is home
to about 70,000 people. Most are displaced due to
conflict in the region. - I was ordained to go
to Syria and serve there. And during this
time, we had the war. And we experienced the
distress of the Syrian people. We tried to help
them in many ways. They had difficulties
in having bread when they are in
hard-to-reach areas where all the infrastructure
are nonexistent. (crane motor) - [Narrator] But now,
thanks to a partnership between Mother Agnes, a Greek Orthodox nun and Latter-day Saint
Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, refugees in great
need of food in Syria are receiving bread in
an unprecedented way. With the help of a
mobile automatic bakery, (machine rumbling) an innovative concept born out
of hard work and inspiration. - We took a couple of
trips with Mother Agnes and visited various bakeries
and seeing how the process was. And we saw this one bakery
that was a small bakery, which then gave
us the idea that, "Hey, we could do the same thing
in the shipping container." - [Narrator] A
shipping container that can be transported
into remote areas by land, air, or sea. - The bread actually comes
around and then back up. - We sat down in Mother Agnes's
apartment that afternoon and drew out-literally
on just scraps of paper a kind of a blueprint for
what this would look like, and a few months
later, there it was. With some help from
a lot of really, good, intelligent,
and innovative people. - [Narrator] With the capacity
to produce up to 120,000 pieces of various Arabic bread
types in a 24-hour period, the turnkey system now
serves thousands of Syrians. Two more mobile bakeries will
soon be built in Lebanon, another country in desperate
need due to food shortages. - If you look
at some of the pictures of children holding pieces of bread and eating that
bread, warm bread, you can only imagine
what that means, and it's a biblical anecdote
to be able to share bread with others, and it's
a spiritual experience. (upbeat music) - [Narrator] This has
been the World Report for The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, April, 2021. - [Narrator] To watch
the World Report online, visit
Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org (gentle music) HEY DAD, CAN YOU COME OUT
AND SHOOT SOME HOOPS WITH ME? SORRY,
I CAN'T RIGHT NOW. DAD, STUDIES SHOW
THAT BY THE TIME I'M 12 I CAN BE INFLUENCED BY FRIENDS
MORE THAN PARENTS. YOU KNOW BILLY? HE'S A PRETTY GOOD KID
MOST THE TIME. BUT DO YOU REALLY WANT HIM
INFLUENCING ME MORE THAN YOU? BILLY-- SPOT YOU THREE POINTS. <i>GIVE YOUR FAMILY EVERYTHING,
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.</i> WHY DON'T WE ALL GO
ROLLER BLADING TONIGHT? UH, NOT TONIGHT HONEY. MOM, SPENDING TIME
WITH ME NOW MEANS HAVING A BETTER CHANCE
OF BEING CLOSE TO ME
WHEN I'M A TEENAGER. HOW ARE YOU GOING
TO DEAL WITH THAT
IF WE'RE NOT CLOSE? <i> GIVE YOUR FAMILY EVERYTHING,
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.</i> FUERA! FUERA! ALL I REALLY NEEDED
TO HEAR THAT DAY WAS WHAT MY DAD
TOLD ME. HE SAID, "YOU'RE NEVER A WINNER
IF YOU LOSE YOUR TEMPER." LIFE'S MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS
ARE BEST LEARNED WITH FAMILY. A MESSAGE FROM... ♪♪ >> ABOUT THE YEAR AD 30, OUTSIDE THE WALLS OF JERUSALEM, AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN NAMED JESUS OF NAZARETH WAS CRUCIFIED ALONG WITH TWO THIEVES. IT WAS AN EVENT THAT WOULD CHANGE THE WORLD, AND VERY FEW UNDERSTOOD. >> THEIF ON CROSS: IF THOU BE THE CHRIST, SAVE THYSELF AND US. >> THIEF ON CROSS: DOST NOT THOU FEAR GOD, SEEING THOU ART IN THE SAME CONDEMNATION? AND WE INDEED JUSTLY, FOR WE RECEIVE THE DUE REWARD OF OUR DEEDS; BUT THIS MAN HATH DONE NOTHING AMISS. >> JOHN: MY NAME IS JOHN. AND INDEED, IT COULD BE WELL SAID OF THIS MAN JESUS, HE DID NOTHING AMISS. I WAS WITH HIM FOR THE LAST YEARS OF HIS LIFE. I WATCHED HIM GIVE SIGHT TO THE BLIND. ... HEAL THE SICK AND THE LAME. I WAS A WITNESS AS HE RAISED THE DEAD BACK TO LIFE. >> JESUS: TALITHA CUMAI. ARISE. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> JOHN: AND YET, HE WAS REJECTED BY THOSE WHO SHOULD HAVE REJOICED AT HIS COMING. >> RULER IN SANHEDRIN: HE IS GUILTY OF DEATH! >> RULERS (TOGETHER): DEATH! ♪♪ >> JOHN: AS I AND MY FELLOW DISCIPLES FOLLOWED HIM THROUGH THE CITY AND HILLS OF JUDEA, WE CAME TO KNOW FOR OURSELVES A MIRACULOUS TRUTH, THAT THE APOSLTE PETER EXPRESSED FOR US ALL. >> JESUS: WHOM DO MEN SAY THAT I, THE SON OF MAN, AM? >> PETER: THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD. >> JOHN: THE CHRIST, THE ANOINTED ONE, HAD THE POWER AND AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE MANKIND OF THEIR SINS. >> JESUS: SON, THY SINS BE FORGIVEN THEE. ARISE. ♪♪ >> JOHN: IN OUR POSSESSION, WE HAD THE WRITINGS OF ANCIENT PROPHETS WHO PROPHESIED ABOUT THIS MESSIAH, THE SON OF GOD, BUT WE DID NOT FULLY COMPREHEND. FOR THE LAST WEEK OF HIS LIFE, I WAS AN EYEWITNESS. AS THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH FORETOLD CENTURIES BEFORE, MANY WELCOMED HIS RETURN TO JERUSALEM AS THE MESSIAH, THEIR KING. AS WE DINED WITH HIM ON HIS LAST NIGHT, HE TRIED TO WARN AND PREPARE US FOR HIS IMPENDING DEATH. >> JESUS: A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE UNTO YOU, THAT YE LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. YE ARE MY FRIENDS ... TAKE THIS AND DIVIDE IT AMONG YOURSELVES. FOR I SAY UNTO YOU, I WILL NOT DRINK OF THE FRUIT OF THE VINE UNTIL THE KINGDOM OF GOD SHALL COME. >> JOHN: AS WE LEFT THIS UPPER ROOM, JESUS WAS GREATLY TROUBLED, YET HE SPOKE TO US WORDS OF COMFORT. >> JESUS: PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU. MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU. NOT AS THE WORLD GIVETH GIVE I UNTO YOU. LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID. >> JOHN: STILL, WE DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT LAY AHEAD. >> JESUS: ALL YE SHALL BE OFFENDED BECAUSE OF ME THIS NIGHT. FOR IT IS WRITTEN, I WILL SMITE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED ABROAD. ♪♪ >> JOHN: PETER, JAMES, AND I FOLLOWED HIM FURTHER INTO THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. >> JESUS: MY SOUL IS EXCEEDING SORROWFUL, EVEN UNTO DEATH. ♪♪ TARRY YE HERE AND WATCH WITH ME. ♪♪ >> JESUS: ABBA. FATHER. ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE UNTO THEE. TAKE AWAY THIS CUP FROM ME. NEVERTHELESS, NOT MY WILL BUT THINE BE DONE. >> JOHN: INDEED, OUR SPIRITS WERE WILLING BUT OUR FLESH WAS WEAK, FOR WE WERE HEAVY WITH SLEEP. >> JESUS: SLEEPEST THOU? COULDST NOT THOU WATCH ONE HOUR? >> JOHN: WE DID NOT COMPREHEND THAT THE SON OF GOD, WHOM WE SAW HAD POWER TO FORGIVE SINS, WAS NOW OFFERING HIMSELF AS PAYMENT FOR THE MISDEEDS OF ALL MANKIND. UNAWARE, WE SLEPT ON. ♪♪ HE WAS IN GREAT AGONY. "HE PRAYED MORE EARNESTLY; AND HIS SWEAT WAS, AS IT WERE, GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD FALLING DOWN TO THE GROUND." ♪♪ ♪♪ >> JESUS: WHOM SEEK YE? >> RULER OF JEWS: JESUS OF NAZARETH. ♪♪ >> JOHN: ONE OF OUR OWN BETRAYED OUR LORD TO THE RULERS OF THE JEWS. >> JUDAS: MASTER! [WHISPERED] >> PILATE: YE HAVE BROUGHT THIS MAN UNTO ME AS ONE THAT PERVERTETH THE PEOPLE. I HAVE EXAMINED HIM BEFORE YOU AND FIND NO FAULT WITH THIS MAN TOUCHING THOSE THINGS WHEREOF YOU ACCUSE HIM. I HAVE SENT HIM TO HEROD. HE HAS FOUND THAT NOTHING WORTHY OF DEATH HAS BEEN DONE. I WILL, THEREFORE, CHASTISE HIM AND RELEASE HIM. >> CROWD AND RULERS: NO! NO! >> PILATE: ACCORDING TO YOUR CUSTOM AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, ONE PRISONER SHALL BE RELEASED. >> RULER: BARABAS. FREE BARABAS. >> CROWD: NO! >> PILATE: WHAT SHALL I DO THEN WITH JESUS WHO IS CALLED THE CHRIST? >> CROWD AND RULERS: CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM! >> JOHN: NO! >> MARY: PLEASE, SPARE MY SON! [ CROWD CHANTING ] >> PILATE: I AM INNOCENT OF THE BLOOD OF THIS JUST PERSON. SEE YE TO IT. ♪♪ >> JESUS: IN THE WORLD ... ... YOU SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION, BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER. I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. [RHYTHMIC HAMMER POUNDING] >> JOHN: EVEN IN HIS INTENSE SUFFERING, AS HE PAID THE FINAL PRICE FOR US ALL, HIS THOUGHTS WERE ON OTHERS. HIS LAST REQUEST OF ME WAS TO CARE FOR HIS BELOVED MOTHER. >> JESUS: BEHOLD, THY MOTHER! ♪♪ >> JESUS: FATHER. INTO THY HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT. IT IS FINISHED. [THUNDER RUMBLES] >> JOHN: THESE THINGS ARE WRITTEN THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, AND THAT BELIEVING YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE THROUGH HIS NAME. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> JOHN: THE DARKNESS IS PAST, AND THE TRUE LIGHT NOW SHINES. THIS IS THE PROMISE THAT HE HAS PROMISED US, EVEN ETERNAL LIFE. ♪♪ >> JESUS: MARY. >> MARY MAGDELINE: RABONNI! >> JOHN: WE BEHELD HIS GLORY! AND BECAUSE OF HIM, WE ALL SHALL LIVE AGAIN. FOR HE IS RISEN ♪♪ AS A MEMBER OF THE BELOVED FAMILY OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. WITH GOD'S HELP WE CAN ALL FEEL THAT HOPN H. OAKS: [MUSIC PLAYING] My dad and my mom--they
live in Uttarakhand, in northern part of India. My dad and my mom got
married when he was, I think, 18-year-old and my
mom was 15-year-old. So, I came from that
background where it's like men are
ruling their families. So, men is very important
and women are less important. But my dad, even though
he has six daughter, he never, never let us down. He said, "Do whatever you
want to do in your life, OK? I won't stop you." I think my mom inspired
my dad because my mom is a very strong woman. She always tell to my dad that
"I want to educate my daughter. Please don't stop them." And my dad said OK. My mom was really, really sick. We take her to the
different temples, like Sikh temples, and Muslim
temples, like Hindu temples, and we couldn't get any answer
and any relief for my mom. So, one day, my sister
Angeli met her friend. Her name is Monisha. So she said, "So we
go to this church-- why don't you take your mom here
because maybe the pastor can heal your mom." So I said, "OK,
let me go first." So, when I went to
that church first time, it was in the Easter time. And the pastor was telling
about Jesus Christ. I cried that day when
they were worshipping Him. I did not hear anything what
they were singing, what they were talking; I
just heard one voice that "He died for your sin." And that really-- I was shocked. I was like, "How can
He die for my sin?" After one year, I was
coming from my college. I had exam. And as I was walking,
I saw Monisha. So she was standing
on the road, and I was all, "What are you doing here?" So then she told
me that, you know, "I'm waiting for the elders." Then I was, like, "Elder? What do you mean? What 'elder' means?" So she said, "I also don't know. But I'm waiting for the two
people who are wearing badge and they're wearing white
shirt and black pant, and they're coming to my home." So I said to Monisha
that "I'm going home." And she said, "Are you
coming to my home?" So I said, "No, I'm not coming. I'm going to my home because I
have to prepare for my exam." As I start walking, I heard
a voice, "Hi, sisters." So I looked back. So they invited me. They said, "Now, sister, we
are going to Monisha's house. Would you like to come?" So I said, "No. I'm already tired, and tomorrow
is also big exam for me. I want to go home and
prepare for that." As I was sitting down, I heard
a voice that, "You should go." I was so shocked, like,
"What voice I'm hearing?" And I was ignoring that
voice till 15 minutes. After like 15
minutes, I was, like, "OK, I think I should go." I told my younger sister-- her name is Ashu. I said, "Ashu, let's go. We are going to
Monisha's house." So then she's like, "Why?" And I said, "Let's go. Come with me." So I went to their house. I knocked the door. And I went inside. The elders said, "I know
that you will come." They started teaching about
Joseph Smith's vision. He was also searching the truth. Joseph Smith sees Heavenly
Father and Jesus Christ. My body was so calm. My mind, my heart was so calm. I feel like this
is the right place. This is it. I never, never heard about
Heavenly Father before. I know that Jesus
Christ is there, but I don't know that we have
Father also, Heavenly Father. So, after they
finish the teaching, they give me their card. They said, "Sister, this is our
Church, and this is our number. And our Church start in
afternoon around 2:00. So would you like to come?" So I said, "Elder, I'm
already going to a church." So they said, "OK, but try
to come to our Church." So next Sunday, I went to
the Pentecostal church, and then in the
afternoon, I went to The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. So in the evening, I
was sitting in my roof. I look up in the sky. I said, "Whoever you are,
tell me what is the truth. I'm struggling here. I don't know what to do. Somebody's saying, 'Do this.' And somebody's
saying, 'Do that.' Where I need to go?" I said, "Whoever you
are, if you're real God, tell me what I need to do." I slept and I saw a dream. In my dream, I saw that the
elders are giving me baptism. I went to the
water and came out. I don't how to say it,
but it just literally feel to me it's real. At that time, I know
this is my answer. I call elder in the morning. I said, "Elder, I'm
ready for the baptism." So after we all get baptized,
on December, my mom died. My hope and everything was-- I feel like everything
is gone, because we are so close to our mom. Even though I
joined this Church, I have a hope that
my mom will be healed and she'll be like
before she was. And I have really much hope that
Heavenly Father will save her, but she died. They talk about a
plan of salvation. I know that I can
meet my mom again. That is the way Heavenly Father
was preparing me for that. He was preparing
me to find truth. I think this is all planned,
because I have the testimony He was preparing me for that day. And I can feel that I
can meet my mom again. If you're searching for the
truth for your own life, ask God, as I asked,
as Joseph Smith asked. You will get your
answer by Holy Ghost. I felt it in my heart. I listened that voice. And I feel so happy to be a
member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And I want that everyone
feel the same, the way I do. [MUSIC PLAYING] FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES,
MOST DOORS SERVE TWO PURPOSES. THEY LET PEOPLE IN, AND
THEY KEEP PEOPLE OUT. SO THE QUESTION
WE HAVE TO ASK IS: DO OUR DOORS LET PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES IN OR KEEP THEM OUT? [MUSIC PLAYING] ONE IN THREE--WHEN PEOPLE HEAR
IT, THEY DON'T BELIEVE IT. THAT ONE IN THREE HOUSEHOLDS
HAS A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY. AT CHURCH YOU'LL
HEAR PEOPLE SAY, "BUT WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE WITH A
DISABILITY IN OUR CONGREGATION, BECAUSE IF WE DID, WE'D
KNOW WHO THEY WERE." "BECAUSE IF WE DID, WE'D
BUILD A RAMP FOR THEM." EXCEPT RIGHT NOW, I
DON'T NEED A RAMP. I JUST NEED THE TEACHER
TO USE A MICROPHONE. RIGHT NOW I JUST NEED A FRIEND. SOMEONE TO PRAY WITH. SOMEONE TO TELL STORIES TO. SOMEONE TO BOND
WITH OVER OUR FAITH. BUT HOW CAN YOU BOND
WHEN YOU'RE INVISIBLE, HIDING IN PLAIN
SIGHT--THOSE WITHOUT SIGHT, THE HARD OF HEARING? THOSE WITH DEPRESSION,
AUTISM, ANXIETY? THOSE WHO HAVE A
HARD TIME FITTING IN? THOSE WITH FRAGILE BODIES,
WHO TRY HARD BUT STRUGGLE? I JUST NEED YOU TO
BELIEVE: BELIEVE IN ME, TO BELIEVE THIS PLACE WOULD BE
BETTER WITH ME BY YOUR SIDE. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY
THOUGHT ABOUT THE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU BELONG, TRULY
BELONG IN A COMMUNITY? IT'S HARD TO DESCRIBE
EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE, BUT YOU DEFINITELY KNOW
WHEN YOU DON'T FIT IN. PEOPLE TALK ALL THE TIME
ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS. BUT THESE ARE NOT SPECIAL NEEDS;
THEY'RE EVERYBODY'S NEEDS. WE JUST WANT TO BE
INVITED, NOTICED, LOVED. AND THAT MANIFESTATION
OF LOVE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ANYTHING BIG. SOMETIMES THE SIMPLEST THINGS
ARE THE MOST MEANINGFUL. AFTER ALL, FAITH
ISN'T ABOUT PROGRAMS. IT IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS. AND REACHING OUT DOESN'T
REQUIRE THE EXTRAORDINARY--JUST A REGULAR OUTPOURING
OF THE ORDINARY. WE CAN SHARE. WE CAN SERVE. WE CAN CONTRIBUTE. WE CAN HELP. WE'RE BELIEVERS JUST LIKE YOU. AND JUST LIKE YOU,
WE CAN LISTEN. WE CAN COMFORT. WE CAN OFFER ALL OF OUR SUPPORT. FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES,
MOST DOORS SERVE TWO PURPOSES. BUT THE DOORS HERE
SHOULD ONLY HAVE ONE. [MUSIC PLAYING] TO TAKE UPON OURSELVES
THE NAME OF CHRIST MEANS WE FAITHFULLY
STRIVE TO SEE AS GOD SEES. TO TAKE UPON MYSELF
THE NAME OF CHRIST MEANS TO REPRESENT HIM AT ALL
TIMES, IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, IN ALL PLACES. I THINK NOT LOSING SIGHT IN THIS
LIFE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS, AND TRYING TO SERVE THOSE AROUND
ME MORE THAN--MORE THAN JUST BUILDING UP MY OWN LIFE. SAINTS TAKE THE SAVIOR'S
NAME UPON THEMSELVES BY BECOMING HOLY AND
MINISTERING TO ALL, REGARDLESS OF WHERE OR HOW THEY STAND. CAN ANY ONE OF YOU
IMAGINE OUR SAVIOR LETTING YOU AND YOUR
BURDENS GO UNNOTICED BY HIM? THE SAVIOR LOOKED UPON THE
SAMARITAN, THE ADULTERER, THE TAX COLLECTOR, THE
LEPER, THE MENTALLY ILL, AND THE SINNER
WITH THE SAME EYES. ALL WERE CHILDREN OF HIS FATHER. ALL WERE REDEEMABLE. HE WANTS ALL TO KNOW THERE
IS NOTHING AND NO ONE HE IS UNABLE TO HEAL AND
TO DELIVER TO ENDURING JOY. IN ANY OF LIFE'S TRAVELS,
WHY WOULD YOU EVER TURN AWAY FROM THE ONLY SAVIOR WHO HAS ALL
POWER TO HEAL AND DELIVER YOU? WHATEVER THE PRICE YOU MUST
PAY TO TRUST HIM IS WORTH IT. HE HAS GIVEN US THE SCRIPTURES. HE'S GIVEN US THE GUIDANCE
OF MODERN PROPHETS. AND I THINK IF WE
CAN READ THOSE WORDS, AND WE CAN SEEK TO LIVE
AS THOSE WORDS TELL US TO, I THINK YOU'LL START TO
FEEL THE LOVE OF CHRIST. YOU'LL START TO FEEL THAT
YOU CAN TRUST IN CHRIST. BY TAKING UPON OURSELVES
THE NAME OF CHRIST, WE COMMIT TO TAKE HIS
TEACHINGS, HIS CHARACTERISTICS, AND ULTIMATELY HIS LOVE
DEEP INTO OUR BEING SO THAT THEY BECOME
PART OF WHO WE ARE. IN ORDER TO ACCESS THE
SAVING POWER THAT COMES ONLY THROUGH THE NAME OF CHRIST,
WE MUST HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE GOD AND COME FORTH WITH
BROKEN HEARTS AND CONTRITE SPIRITS AND BE WILLING TO
TAKE UPON US THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. WE SHOW OUR LOVE TO OUR
SAVIOR AND OUR HEAVENLY FATHER BY STEPPING OUT OF
OUR COMFORT ZONE AND SEEKING TO FOLLOW
THE SPIRIT'S PROMPTING AND TO DO WHAT HE
WOULD HAVE US DO. IT IS A PROCESS THAT
HAPPENS EVERY DAY. IT IS A PROCESS OF PRAYER. IT'S A PROCESS OF SCRIPTURE. IT'S A PROCESS OF LOOKING
AT OTHERS AS YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND AS
PEOPLE AND LOVING THEM AS THE SAVIOR WOULD LOVE THEM. THE LORD ALWAYS SAYS THAT "IF
YOU HAVE A HEARTFELT DESIRE TO DO MY WILL,"
HE'S ALWAYS THERE TO PREPARE THE WAY FOR YOU. THOSE WHO EXERCISE FAITH IN
THE SACRED NAME OF JESUS CHRIST AND ENTER INTO HIS
COVENANT CAN LAY CLAIM ON THE ATONING SACRIFICE
OF JESUS CHRIST. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WANTS
TO MAKE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT THE NAME OF HIS
SON, JESUS CHRIST, IS NOT SIMPLY ONE
NAME AMONG MANY. THE SAVIOR'S NAME HAS
SINGULAR AND ESSENTIAL POWER. IT IS THE ONLY NAME BY
WHICH SALVATION IS POSSIBLE. [MUSIC PLAYING] [MUSIC PLAYING] THIS IS A CHURCH. THIS IS A BELIEVER. THIS IS A HYMN. THESE ARE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. THIS IS LOVING YOUR ENEMY. LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR. LOVING GOD. THIS IS FAITH. THIS IS FORGIVENESS. THIS IS HALLELUJAH. THIS IS RELIGION. THIS IS ORGANIZED RELIGION. THIS IS CHURCH. I DID SOMETHING YOU MENTIONED
IN OUR LAST CLASS. I DREW PICTURES WITH MY
FIVE YEAR-OLD LAST NIGHT. WHO KNEW SHE HAD
SO MUCH TO SAY. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND
THE ASSIGNMENT. I DID THE OTHER THING
YOU SAID, YOU KNOW,
GET DOWN ON THEIR LEVEL, MAKE EYE CONTACT. AND THEN WE JUST
WALKED AROUND THE PARK, PAST THE SCHOOLS, AND THEN WE HAD TO
GO BY BOBBY FELDON'S HOUSE. I HAD NO IDEA MY SON
WANTED TO PLAY THE PIANO. OKAY, SLOW DOWN, I'VE GOT PARK,
SCHOOL, TALK, PIANO, WHAT WAS THE OTHER THING? I'LL BE HONEST, AT FIRST,
I MEAN I WAS REALLY FRIGHTENED. CAN YOU IMAGINE A MAN MY SIZE
PLAYING HOPSCOTCH? BUT YOU KNOW WHAT,
IT REALLY GOT THINGS GOING. I MEAN, WE RELATED,
WE REALLY DID. VERY GOOD. NEXT WEEK'S ASSIGNMENT IS TO EAT DINNER TOGETHER
EVERY NIGHT AND TELL ME WHAT CHANGES
IN YOUR FAMILY. DO WE GET EXTRA CREDIT
FOR DESSERT? EXCELLENT!
CLASS DISMISSED. <i>GIVE YOUR FAMILY EVERYTHING,
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.</i> <i> [ HAWAIIAN MUSIC PLAYS ]</i> I'M SO GLAD
WE DECIDED TO DO THIS. IT WASN'T THAT HARD. AND THE KIDS LOVE IT. <i> HEY, DAD.</i> [ DELIGHTED SCREAMS
AND LAUGHTER ] <i> GIVE YOUR FAMILY EVERYTHING,
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.</i> YAH! [HORSE WHINNY] [WOOD BREAKS] CRACK! HELP MEEEEE! SOMEBODY HELP HER! C'MON DEPUTY,
LET'S GO! HOLD ON! YAH! TAKE MY HAND! WHAT ARE YOU GUYS
DOING OUT HERE? DAD WAS JUST HELPING ME
TAKE CARE OF KATIE. YOU KNOW...
RUNAWAY STAGE. WELL, DINNER WILL BE READY
IN A FEW MINUTES. <i> IMAGINE WHAT A LITTLE TIME
CAN DO FOR YOUR FAMILY.</i> KIDS OFTEN WITHDRAW WHEN THEIR NEEDS
AREN'T BEING MET. IT WOULD BE EASIER
IF THEY SAID, "I NEED
A LITTLE ONE-ON-ONE TIME." BUT IT'S UP TO US,
THEIR PARENTS, TO LEARN THEIR LANGUAGE. AND ONCE
YOU FIGURE IT OUT, YOU DON'T REALLY
HAVE TO SAY MUCH AT ALL. [MUSIC PLAYING] If you could visit cities
around the Mediterranean Sea 3,000 years ago,
you'd find people enjoying a delicious
little treat: raisins. Today, many years
later, people still enjoy raisins in cookies,
cinnamon rolls, salads, or just plain. So where do raisins come from? This 80-acre vineyard
in Madera, California, is owned and operated by
the Welfare Department of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. This vineyard has rows
and rows of grapevines. The work at this vineyard
is done almost entirely by volunteers. In the winter, volunteers
prune the vines, they cut away all
the extra branches, and get the plants ready for
the summer growing season. With lots of water and
sunshine, the grapes grow plump and juicy until
they are ready to be harvested. Thousands of volunteers
come to this vineyard from nearby towns. They pick bunches of
grapes from the vine and place them on paper
trays to dry in the sun. Over the course of
about three weeks, the sun shines down on
the trays of grapes. The water inside the grape
seeps out and evaporates. The grapes grow smaller,
sweeter, and wrinklier. The dried fruit is
put into bins and sent to a plant which cleans the
raisins and takes out all the stems and leaves. The raisins are put in
packages and shipped out. The raisins from the Madera
vineyard are special. Not only are they pruned
and harvested by volunteers, but they all go
to people in need. Some of the raisins
are given to people who have had to go through
disasters or hardships in different places
around the world. Some of the raisins are given
to families and individuals in need at bishops' storehouses. Some of the raisins are given
to food banks, soup kitchens, and rescue missions
throughout the United States. Who knew such a small treat
can make such a big difference? But it's just one way we
can try to be like Jesus. Because as He said, "Love one
another as I have loved you." [MUSIC PLAYING] I woke up one morning,
and I was just crying. I remember going
to brush my teeth, and I looked in the mirror. I remember just
looking at myself and just like, "Really,
this is who you are? This is what you want to be?" I kind of made a
decision for myself that I wanted to be done,
I wanted to end my life. My name is Dominic
Still, and I'm from Tri-Cities,
Washington, born and raised. I've been pole vaulting for
probably nine years now. With pole vault, you
always go out on a miss, because that's how
the competition ends. And so you're going to fail
over, and over, and over again. And as long as you
pick yourself back up and you're willing
to keep striving, things will fall into
place, but you've got to be willing to
make the sacrifice. After graduating high
school, I had an opportunity to go vault collegiately. Really, my focuses were not
on what they should have been. Before I found the Church, I was
going down a pretty dark path dealing with some
mental stuff, whether it was depression or some anxiety. And the way I really
dealt with that was drinking, going
out and partying, or going to find some
other outlet to, in a way, numb myself. I actually had a friend
who went to church, and she was out
of town that time, but I was like,
"I need something more than what I have right now,
and I need to go to church." So, I walked in a little
late to the sacrament meeting on a Sunday,
and I'm in black skinny jeans and a black shirt
and all pierced up. And I just remember
sitting next to this lady, and she really reminded
me of my grandma. She seemed so sweet, and she
had a big smile on her face. And then I remember
her just looking at me and going, "I just
want you to know we're so happy that you're here." And I smiled and
something clicked, and I was just like,
"Wow, this feels right." After going to church, things
started getting a lot better. I started having more structure,
something I could hold on to. But the thoughts of suicide kept
getting more and more strong. One night, I kind of made
a decision for myself that I wanted to end my life. I walked out of my house. I had started writing
a big group message to all my friends and family-- that it wasn't their fault,
and that I loved them, and that I just feel that
this is for the best. And I've been walking for
probably an hour and a half, and it was snowing
and it was cold. And there was maybe one car
that passed the whole time. And then out of nowhere, I
just see a truck fly by me, and the truck slams
on his brakes, and then the truck backs up,
and then looks over at me and says, "Hey,
are you doing okay? Do you need a ride anywhere? Because there's
nothing going that way. Everything's back that way." And I said, "I was just
getting ready to turn around." Kind of looking back at it,
I'm walking towards darkness. I'm walking towards a
decision that ends everything, and for that man to
point out nothing's down there because
everything's back there. And I know with
all my heart that was Heavenly Father's
doing, that He probably gave that man a
prompting to check on me and to make sure I was okay. And so I started walking back
and made it all the way home. And I woke up the
next morning, and I got the strongest
prompting in the world that I needed to fast. I just put down
my phone; I didn't want to touch any technology. And so I pulled
out my scriptures, and I prayed and prayed. I'd go on a walk, and
I'd pray in my heart. I'd come back, and
I'd read scriptures. I remember getting
down on my knees and praying, "Heavenly Father,
just take this pain away from me, please? Teach me what I need to know. Is the Church true? Was Joseph Smith a Prophet? Are you real? Is Christ real? Is this the Spirit
that I'm feeling?" And I just got the sweetest
confirmation in my heart, the most beautiful
feeling of peace, and just an amazing thought
in my head that said, "It is. It all is. This is the right
thing I'm doing. This is the Spirit,
this is Heavenly Father, this is Christ. And this is Christ's Church." Having the restored
gospel on this earth has changed everything for me. It has taught me to come to know
my Savior, my Redeemer Christ, and to learn more
about Heavenly Father. It taught me how
to humble myself, how to be meek, how to
care about other people and learn to love. And He's given me
everything I feel I need in this life and more. I'd say now when I look in
the mirror, I'm so happy. I see light in
that person's eyes. I see a smile. I see someone who's striving. And I see someone who
can still be better, and I want to keep
striving to be better. [MUSIC PLAYING] It's a feeling that
you cannot deny. It's something that
sticks with you. Even if you have doubts
about it, it sticks with you. For everybody it's
a bit different, but you can have a
thought come to your mind, a moment of clarity, a
feeling in your heart. I'll feel a strong
confirmation telling me that what I'm doing
is a good thing or what I'm deciding to do
is the right thing to do. [MUSIC PLAYING] The Holy Ghost
helps communicate. It can comfort. It can teach us. It speaks to us in a way
that we understand it. I feel this surety at the
very center of my being. I feel faith and
I feel confidence. It's almost like a feeling. It comes different to
everyone, but for me it's always a feeling. I just know I feel
that it's right. [MUSIC PLAYING] He's always there and He enables
you to make good decisions, to be able to make clear
what is good from bad, even if it's a really
confusing situation. [MUSIC PLAYING] The Holy Ghost can help everyone
if they have a willing heart and if they're willing to be
obedient to the commandments that God has for us. Heavenly Father has
not left us alone. He's actually providing a way
for us to always be in--sort of in conversation with Him. That is done through
the Holy Ghost. That is done by kneeling
down every day, praying, and let that feeling
flow into you so that you know, actually,
that you're having that conversation with Him. I strive to live close
to the Spirit every day by following the
commandments, and I pray every day to
have His Spirit so that I can bless others. [MUSIC PLAYING, THUNDER ROLLS] [THUNDERCLAP] [RAIN PITTER-PATTERING] I've had some lows
experienced in my life where I felt very alone. And I think the only thing
that kept me from giving up completely on life was
that Holy Ghost saying, "Hey"--it wasn't a loud voice;
it was a quiet voice--and it would say, "Hey, Heavenly
Father loves you. It's going to be OK." [MUSIC PLAYING] When I feel the Holy Spirit,
it's real to me to the point where it pushes me to become
a better version of myself, to always evaluate myself,
and to see all my weaknesses and to work on them. [MUSIC PLAYING] If you listen and you just
trust--I think it's just all about really trusting with
all your heart, might, mind, and strength, and just knowing
that Heavenly Father is in control, and that through the
Holy Spirit you can have access to what you need. [MUSIC PLAYING] IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE
TWO MOST IMPORTANT DAYS IN YOUR LIFE ARE
THE DAY YOU ARE BORN AND THE DAY THAT YOU FIND
OUT WHY YOU WERE BORN. BECAUSE WE HAVE THE
GOSPEL, WE DON'T HAVE TO SPEND OUR ENTIRE LIFE
TRYING TO DISCOVER ITS PURPOSE. INSTEAD, WE CAN FOCUS ON
FULFILLING THAT PURPOSE. I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THREE
SMALL AND SIMPLE WAYS TO LOOK TO GOD THAT WILL
HELP US MAINTAIN OUR FOCUS ON OUR ETERNAL PURPOSE. FIRST, AS WE PARTAKE OF
THE SACRAMENT, TOO OFTEN WE JUST GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS. NOTICE THE FOCUS THAT IS
PLACED ON REMEMBERING, AND CONSIDER WHY
THAT IS SO IMPORTANT. THERE ARE COUNTLESS WAYS
WE CAN KEEP OUR PROMISE TO ALWAYS REMEMBER THE SAVIOR
IN THE COURSE OF A DAY. HOW WILL YOU ALWAYS
REMEMBER HIM? MOST WOULD SAY PRAY AND
STUDY THE SCRIPTURES. AND YOU'D BE RIGHT, IF--AND
THAT'S A BIG IF--THEY ARE DONE WITH REAL INTENT. PRAYING AND STUDYING
THE SCRIPTURES ARE THE NEXT TWO SMALL
AND SIMPLE THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS. PROPHETS PAST AND PRESENT
HAVE PLEADED WITH US TO DO THE SMALL
AND SIMPLE THINGS, LIKE PRAYING AND
STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES. SO WHY DOESN'T EVERYONE DO THEM? PERHAPS ONE REASON IS
THAT WE DON'T NECESSARILY SEE DRAMATIC,
NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES IF WE MISS A DAY OR TWO. YEARS AGO, I PLANTED TWO
TREES OF THE SAME SPECIES AND THE SAME HEIGHT
IN MY BACKYARD. I PLANTED ONE WHERE IT
GOT A LITTLE SUN DAILY, AND I PLANTED THE OTHER WHERE
IT ENJOYED FULL SUNLIGHT. OVER THE NEXT YEAR, I DIDN'T
NOTICE MUCH DIFFERENCE IN THE GROWTH OF THE TWO TREES. BUT THEN MY WIFE AND I LEFT
ON A THREE-YEAR MISSION. WHEN WE RETURNED, I WAS
SHOCKED AT THE BIG DIFFERENCE. THE COMPOUNDING EFFECT OF
A LITTLE MORE SUN EACH DAY MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE OVER
TIME IN THE GROWTH OF THE TREES. THE SAME THING
HAPPENS IN OUR LIVES, AS WE EXPOSE OURSELVES EACH
DAY TO THE SOURCE OF ALL LIGHT. THIS SIMPLE IDEA, THE
COMPOUNDING EFFECT OF DAILY DISCIPLINES WITH
PURPOSE AND REAL INTENT CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
IN ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE. IT CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN STRUGGLING THROUGH AN ORDINARY LIFE OR
BEING IMMENSELY SUCCESSFUL AND FILLING THE MEASURE
OF YOUR CREATION. I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this
sweet sentence gives! He lives, he lives,
who once was dead. He lives, my ever-living Head. He lives to bless
me with his love. He lives to plead for me above. He lives my hungry soul to feed. He lives to bless
in time of need. He lives to grant
me rich supply. He lives to guide
me with his eye. He lives to comfort
me when faint. He lives to hear my
soul's complaint. He lives to silence
all my fears. He lives to wipe away my tears. He lives to calm
my troubled heart. He lives all
blessings to impart. He lives, my kind,
wise heav'nly Friend. He lives and loves
me to the end. He lives, and while
he lives, I'll sing. He lives, my Prophet,
Priest, and King. He lives and grants
me daily breath. He lives, and I
shall conquer death. He lives my mansion to prepare. He lives to bring
me safely there. He lives! All glory to his name! He lives, my Savior,
still the same. Oh, sweet the joy
this sentence gives: "I know that my Redeemer lives!" He lives! All glory to his name! He lives, my Savior,
still the same. Oh, sweet the joy
this sentence gives: "I know that my Redeemer lives!" <i> WE KNOW WHERE
THEY'VE TAKEN HER.</i> LEAR. SHHHH! WE'RE HERE
TO SAVE THE PRINCESS. BUT THE PRINCESS
IS SLEEPING. SORRY. <i> IMAGINE WHAT A LITTLE TIME
CAN DO FOR YOUR FAMILY.</i> SHHHH! THE PRINCESS
IS SLEEPING. OH, SORRY! EXCUSE US. SHHH-SHH! PAOLA... SÍ, MAMA? VEN ACA, POR FAVOR. <i> I DON'T KNOW
HOW MY MOM KNEW.</i> <i> BUT I GUESS MOMS
ALWAYS KNOW.</i> <i> I WASN'T BEING VERY NICE TO
ONE OF THE GIRLS AT SCHOOL.</i> <i> I KNEW IT WAS WRONG.</i> <i> I KNEW I WASN'T
SUPPOSED TO BE MEAN.</i> <i> I GUESS I DIDN'T THINK
IT WAS A BIG DEAL.</i> <i> BUT IN ONE SENTENCE
MY MOM HELPED ME UNDERSTAND.</i> <i> SHE SAID, "MI HIJA, YOU
NEED TO TREAT OTHERS</i> <i> "THE WAY YOU WANT
TO BE TREATED."</i> <i> I THOUGHT ABOUT
THAT A LOT.</i> <i> I STILL DO.</i> <i> LIFE'S MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS
ARE BEST LEARNED IN THE HOME.</i> HEY DAD, CAN YOU COME OUT
AND SHOOT SOME HOOPS WITH ME? SORRY,
I CAN'T RIGHT NOW. DAD, STUDIES SHOW
THAT BY THE TIME I'M 12 I CAN BE INFLUENCED BY FRIENDS
MORE THAN PARENTS. YOU KNOW BILLY? HE'S A PRETTY GOOD KID
MOST THE TIME. BUT DO YOU REALLY WANT HIM
INFLUENCING ME MORE THAN YOU? BILLY-- SPOT YOU THREE POINTS. <i>GIVE YOUR FAMILY EVERYTHING,
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.</i> WHY DON'T WE ALL GO
ROLLER BLADING TONIGHT? UH, NOT TONIGHT HONEY. MOM, SPENDING TIME
WITH ME NOW MEANS HAVING A BETTER CHANCE
OF BEING CLOSE TO ME
WHEN I'M A TEENAGER. HOW ARE YOU GOING
TO DEAL WITH THAT
IF WE'RE NOT CLOSE? <i> GIVE YOUR FAMILY EVERYTHING,
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.</i> On June 14, 1989, the
government of Ghana banned LDS Church
meetings and sent police to lock down meetinghouses. For the next 18
months, Church members were left to keep the
Sabbath without being able to go to church. The freeze actually taught
me to know and to understand how important the Sabbath
is to God's children and to His Church. At times we take
things for granted when we're meeting
every Sabbath. We were taking
things for granted. But when the freeze
came, we couldn't meet as brothers and sisters. We didn't know
what to do until we heard a message
from the Brethren that we can organize
our sacrament meetings in our various homes. During the freeze our living
room became the sacrament hall. I prepared the sacrament and
blessed it to my young family. In a way, that was who
sanctified our homes as we sat and sang and
blessed the bread and water. The Spirit of the
Lord was strong. During those times after
every sacrament meeting, we had to visit with other
Church members to hug them, to keep their faith,
to encourage them. Our home teacher came to us and
told us that every Sunday he would come and pick us up
from his home, to his home, so we can organize our
sacrament meeting there. If this brother could see
the importance of the Sabbath and spend all his
time only to ensure that the Sabbath
is observed, then I need to follow his good example. I want to keep the Sabbath holy. The Lord says that this
really shows the relationship that we have, I think. If we don't respect
His day, I don't know how to give my respect to Him. Life just didn't start at birth. We lived spiritually
with our Heavenly Father. We knew that there was more, and
He told us about His plan--that He did have more
prepared for us, but it would mean that we had
to choose to come to this earth and have some hard experiences. Jesus Christ volunteered to
help make the plan of salvation possible, and He knew
that we would need someone to help us get back
to Heavenly Father, that we couldn't
do it on our own. And we chose that we would
accept it and come down to earth and be part of
this earthly existence. Why does life have
to be so hard? Well, we're here
to learn, right? How will we understand
the difference if we don't experience the
difficult and the hardness? How will we know
happiness if we don't experience pain and sadness? So Heavenly Father has very
carefully put those opposites together to grow
us and to teach us and to expand us and evolve
us as spiritual beings. I think for those
that are struggling, there is always hope, and
there always will be hope. Through those struggles
that we have in life, through those challenges,
we are able to draw nearer to our Heavenly Father
if we choose to, if we want to do that. And we're able to find
peace with our Savior if we want to find peace. I was eight years
old when Mum died, and probably not
realizing it at the time, but I think that started for me
a lifelong pursuit of finding out about her, where
she is, and where I need to be to be with her. I found out that
she's still alive. Mum, right now, lives
in the spirit world, and I found that out for myself. But I found out, too, that I
could qualify to see her again. And so that's been a driving
force in my life--my entire life. There is absolutely
life after death. It's not something you can
see, but it's something that you can feel. And that also comes with
knowledge and through study of the scriptures. I lost my wife four
years ago, and so that motivates me to keep on
the straight and narrow path so that I can be with my wife
again in this life hereafter. After death I do believe
that we will be perfected. I told my husband many
years ago that he'll be able to sing in tune after. And for myself, because I
have the pancreatic cancer, the breast cancer, I have
damaged discs in my lower spine--each day that I
live here on the earth, with faith and hope in
Heavenly Father's blessings, I am actually working
toward the fact that I know, after this life, I'll be able
to throw this crutch away and I'll be running marathons
and I will be perfected, as we all will be. Because I know
that there is more, and that there is a Heavenly
Father that has a plan, and who knew that these
things would happen but loved us enough
to send us here, I think it makes anything
you go through bearable. And I think having
that knowledge also makes you more loving
of people around you and wanting to help them to
get through their hard times, too, so that they know
there's more than what's happening right now,
but that there's eternal happiness ahead. Essential to the
plan of salvation is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without His atoning
sacrifice, all would be lost. It is not enough,
however, merely to believe in Him and His mission. We need to work and learn,
search and pray, repent and improve. We need to know God's
laws and live them. We need to receive
His saving ordinances. Only by doing so will we
obtain true, eternal happiness. [MUSIC PLAYING] Life's personal trials stretch
far beyond this pandemic. Future trials could
result from an accident, a natural disaster, or an
unexpected personal heartache. How can we endure such trials? The Lord has told us
that "if ye are prepared, you shall not fear." Of course, we can
store our own reserves of food, water, and savings. But equally crucial
is our need to fill our personal spiritual
storehouses with faith, truth, and testimony. Our ultimate quest in life is
to prepare to meet our Maker. We do this by striving
daily to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. And we do that as we
repent daily and receive His cleansing, healing,
and strengthening power. Then, we can feel
enduring peace and joy, even during turbulent times. This is exactly why
the Lord has implored us to stand in holy
places and be not moved. I know that God,
our Heavenly Father, and his son, Jesus
Christ, are mindful of us. We are to seek, in
every way we can, to hear Jesus Christ,
who speaks to us through the power and
ministering of the Holy Ghost. Because when we seek
to truly hear His Son, we will be guided to know what
to do in any circumstance. ♪♪ >> LLOYD NEWELL: FROM THE CONFERENCE CENTER THEATER IN SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, WE BRING YOU THE PRIESTHOOD SESSION OF THE 191ST ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THE MUSIC FOR THIS SESSION WILL BE PROVIDED BY A VARIETY OF CHOIRS FROM PREVIOUS GENERAL CONFERENCES. PRIESTHOOD HOLDERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD HAVE BEEN INVITED TO VIEW THIS BROADCAST TO RECEIVE COUNSEL AND INSTRUCTION FROM CHURCH LEADERS. THIS BROADCAST IS FURNISHED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE BY BONNEVILLE DISTRIBUTION. ANY REPRODUCTION, RECORDING, TRANSCRIPTION OR OTHER USE OF THIS PROGRAM WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT IS PROHIBITED. >> PRESIDENT DALLIN H. OAKS: BRETHREN, WE WELCOME YOU TO THE PRIESTHOOD SESSION OF THE 191ST ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON, WHO PRESIDES AT THE CONFERENCE, HAS ASKED ME TO CONDUCT THIS SESSION. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR ALL TO PARTICIPATE BY RADIO, TELEVISION, OR THE INTERNET. THE MUSIC FOR THIS SESSION WILL BE PROVIDED BY VARIOUS CHOIRS, DIRECTORS AND ORGANISTS. ALL SELECTIONS WERE RECORDED PREVIOUSLY. THE CHOIR WILL OPEN THIS MEETING WITH “IN HYMNS OF PRAISE.” THE INVOCATION WILL THEN BE OFFERED BY BISHOP L. TODD BUDGE SECOND COUNSELOR IN THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC, AFTER WHICH, THE CHOIR WILL SING “GOD LOVED US SO HE SENT HIS SON.” ♪♪ ♪ IN HYMNS OF PRAISE
YOUR VOICES RAISE ♪ ♪ TO HIM WHO REIGNS
ON HIGH, ♪ ♪ WHOSE COUNSELS KEEP
THE MIGHTY DEEP, ♪ ♪ WHO RULETH
EARTH AND SKY. ♪ ♪ EXALT HIS NAME
IN LOUD ACCLAIM; ♪ ♪ HIS MIGHTY
POW'R ADORE! ♪ ♪ AND HUMBLY BOW
BEFORE HIM NOW, ♪ ♪ OUR KING
FOREVERMORE. ♪ ♪ BENEATH HIS HAND,
AT HIS COMMAND, ♪ ♪ THE SHINING PLANETS MOVE; ♪ ♪ TO ALL BELOW
THEY DAILY SHOW ♪ ♪ HIS WISDOM
AND HIS LOVE. ♪ ♪ EXALT HIS NAME
IN LOUD ACCLAIM; ♪ ♪ HIS MIGHTY
POW 'R ADORE! ♪ ♪ AND HUMBLY BOW
BEFORE HIM NOW, ♪ ♪ OUR KING
FOREVERMORE ♪ ♪ THE LITTLE FLOW'R
THAT LASTS AN HOUR, ♪ ♪ THE SPARROW
IN ITS FALL, ♪ ♪ THEY, TOO, SHALL SHARE
HIS TENDER CARE; ♪ ♪ HE MADE AND LOVES
THEM ALL. ♪ ♪ EXALT HIS NAME
IN LOUD ACCLAIM; ♪ ♪ HIS MIGHTY
POW'R ADORE! ♪ ♪ AND HUMBLY BO
BEFORE HIM NOW, ♪ ♪ OUR KING
FOREVERMORE. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ THEN SING AGAIN
IN LOFTY STRAIN ♪ ♪ TO HIM WHO
DWELLS ON HIGH; ♪ ♪ TO PRAYERS YOU RAISE,
AND SONGS OF PRAISE ♪ ♪ HE SWEETLY
WILL REPLY. ♪ ♪ EXALT HIS NAME
IN LOUD ACCLAIM; ♪ ♪ HIS MIGHTY
POW'R ADORE! ♪ ♪ AND HUMBLY BOW
BEFORE HIM NOW, ♪ ♪ OUR KING
FOREVERMORE. ♪♪ OUR BELOVED HEAVENLY FATHER, WE HUMBLY EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE TO THEE FOR THESE GREAT GLOBAL GATHERING OF PRIESTHOOD HOLDERS. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE RESTORATION OF THY HOLY PRIESTHOOD AND HOW IT BLESSES MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN. DURING THIS HOLY WEEK, OUR HEARTS ARE FILLED WITH GRATITUDE FOR THE GIFT OF THY SON. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR HIS BIRTH, FOR HIS LIFE AND MINISTRY, FOR HIS INFINITE ATONING SACRIFICE, AND FOR HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION THAT BRINGS HOPE, MEANING, AND PURPOSE TO OUR LIVES. WE ARE MINDFUL OF MANY WHO ARE SUFFERING THE EFFECTS OF THIS GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND WE PRAY THAT THEY MIGHT FIND HEALING AND COMFORT IN CHRIST. MAY THY HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH US NOW THAT THOSE WHO SPEAK WILL DO SO WITH POWER AND THOSE WHO HEAR MAY UNDERSTAND IN THEIR HEARTS, MAY WE EVER GIVE MORE LOVE TO THEE, WE PRAY, IN THE NAME OF THY BELOVED SON, JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. ♪♪ ♪ GOD LOVED US,
SO HE SENT HIS SON, ♪ ♪ CHRIST JESUS,
THE ATONING ONE, ♪ ♪ TO SHOW US
BY THE PATH HE TROD ♪ ♪ THE ONE
AND ONLY WAY TO GOD. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ HE CAME AS MAN,
THOUGH SON OF GOD, ♪ ♪ AND BOWED HIMSELF
BENEATH THE ROD. ♪ ♪ HE DIED
IN HOLY INNOCENCE, ♪ ♪ A BROKEN LAW
TO RECOMPENSE. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ OH, LOVE EFFULGENT,
LOVE DIVINE! ♪ ♪ WHAT DEBT OF GRATITUDE
IS MINE, ♪ ♪ THAT IN HIS OFFERING
I HAVE PART ♪ ♪ AND HOLD A PLACE
WITHIN HIS HEART. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ GOD LOVED US,
SO HE SENT HIS SON. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> PRESIDENT OAKS: WE WILL NOW BE PLEASED TO HEAR FROM ELDER QUENTIN L. COOK OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES. HE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY BROTHER AHMAD S. CORBITT, FIRST COUNSELOR IN THE YOUNG MEN GENERAL PRESIDENCY. ELDER S. GIFFORD NIELSEN OF THE SEVENTY WILL THEN ADDRESS US. >> ELDER QUENTIN L. COOK: MY DEAR BRETHREN OF THE PRIESTHOOD, ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE LINES IN A MUCH-LOVED HYMN ASKS, "SHALL THE YOUTH OF ZION FALTER?" MY HEARTFELT AND RESOUNDING DECLARATION IN ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS "NO!" TO MAKE SURE THAT ANSWER HOLDS TRUE, I TESTIFY TODAY THAT SUPPORTING THE RISING GENERATION IN A TIME OF UNUSUAL CHALLENGES AND TEMPTATIONS IS AN ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITY GIVEN TO PARENTS AND BISHOPRICS BY HEAVENLY FATHER. LET ME ILLUSTRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF A BISHOPRIC WITH A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. WHEN I WAS A DEACON, MY FAMILY MOVED TO A NEW HOME IN A DIFFERENT WARD. I WAS BEGINNING JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, SO I ALSO ATTENDED A NEW SCHOOL. THERE WAS A MARVELOUS GROUP OF YOUNG MEN IN THE DEACONS QUORUM. MOST OF THEIR PARENTS WERE ACTIVE MEMBERS. MY MOTHER WAS COMPLETELY ACTIVE; MY FATHER WAS EXCEPTIONAL IN EVERY WAY BUT WAS NOT AN ACTIVE MEMBER. THE SECOND COUNSELOR IN THE BISHOPRIC, BROTHER DEAN EYRE, WAS A DEVOTED LEADER. WHEN I WAS STILL ADJUSTING TO THE NEW WARD, A FATHER-SON EVENT WAS ANNOUNCED FOR BEAR LAKE-- ABOUT 40 MILES AWAY. I DID NOT THINK I WOULD ATTEND WITHOUT MY FATHER. BUT BROTHER EYRE ISSUED A SPECIAL INVITATION FOR ME TO GO WITH HIM. HE SPOKE HIGHLY AND RESPECTFULLY OF MY FATHER AND STRESSED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MY OPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DEACONS QUORUM. SO I DECIDED TO GO WITH BROTHER EYRE, AND I HAD A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. BROTHER EYRE WAS A MARVELOUS EXAMPLE OF CHRISTLIKE LOVE IN FULFILLING THE BISHOPRIC'S RESPONSIBILITY TO SUPPORT PARENTS IN WATCHING OVER AND NURTURING THE YOUTH. HE GAVE ME AN EXCELLENT START IN THIS NEW WARD AND WAS A MENTOR TO ME. A FEW MONTHS BEFORE I LEFT FOR A MISSION IN 1960, BROTHER EYRE PASSED AWAY FROM CANCER AT AGE 39. HE LEFT A WIFE AND THEIR FIVE CHILDREN, ALL YOUNGER THAN AGE 16. HIS OLDEST SONS, RICHARD AND CHRIS EYRE, HAVE ASSURED ME THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF THEIR FATHER, BISHOPRICS SUPPORTED AND WATCHED OUT FOR THEM AND THEIR YOUNGER BROTHERS AND SISTER WITH CHRISTLIKE LOVE, FOR WHICH I AM GRATEFUL. PARENTS WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAMILIES. QUORUM PRESIDENCIES ALSO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE TO QUORUM MEMBERS BY ASSISTING THEM IN ELEVATING THE DUTIES AND POWER OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD TO THE CENTER OF THEIR LIVES. TODAY MY PURPOSE IS TO FOCUS ON BISHOPS AND THEIR COUNSELORS, WHO CAN APPROPRIATELY BE CALLED "SHEPHERDS OVER THE LORD'S FLOCK"--WITH EMPHASIS ON BEING SHEPHERDS FOR THE RISING GENERATION. IT IS INTERESTING THAT THE APOSTLE PETER REFERRED TO JESUS CHRIST AS "THE SHEPHERD AND BISHOP OF YOUR SOULS." THE BISHOP HAS FIVE PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN PRESIDING OVER A WARD: HE IS THE PRESIDING HIGH PRIEST IN THE WARD. HE IS PRESIDENT OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD. HE IS A COMMON JUDGE. HE COORDINATES THE WORK OF SALVATION AND EXALTATION, INCLUDING CARING FOR THOSE IN NEED. AND HE OVERSEES RECORDS, FINANCES, AND THE USE OF THE MEETINGHOUSE. IN HIS ROLE AS PRESIDING HIGH PRIEST, THE BISHOP IS THE WARD'S "SPIRITUAL LEADER." HE IS A "FAITHFUL DISCIPLE ... OF JESUS CHRIST." IN ADDITION, "THE BISHOP [COORDINATES] THE WORK OF SALVATION AND EXALTATION IN THE WARD." THE BISHOP SHOULD ASSIGN THE DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITY FOR SHARING THE GOSPEL, STRENGTHENING NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS, MINISTERING, AND TEMPLE AND FAMILY HISTORY WORK TO THE ELDERS QUORUM AND RELIEF SOCIETY PRESIDENCIES. THE BISHOP COORDINATES THIS WORK IN THE WARD COUNCIL AND WARD YOUTH COUNCIL. THE BISHOP HAS A PARAMOUNT ROLE IN SERVING AS A SHEPHERD TO GUIDE THE RISING GENERATION, INCLUDING YOUNG SINGLE ADULTS, TO JESUS CHRIST. PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON HAS EMPHASIZED THE SEMINAL ROLE OF THE BISHOP AND HIS COUNSELORS. HE HAS TAUGHT THAT THEIR "FIRST AND FOREMOST RESPONSIBILITY IS TO CARE FOR THE YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN OF [THEIR] WARD." THE BISHOPRIC SUPPORTS PARENTS IN WATCHING OVER AND NURTURING CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN THE WARD. THE BISHOP AND WARD YOUNG WOMEN PRESIDENT COUNSEL TOGETHER. THEY STRIVE TO HELP THE YOUTH LIVE THE STANDARDS IN "FOR THE STRENGTH OF YOUTH," QUALIFY TO RECEIVE ORDINANCES, AND MAKE AND KEEP SACRED COVENANTS. YOU MIGHT ASK, "WHY IS THE BISHOPRIC DIRECTED TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME WITH THE YOUTH?" THE LORD HAS ORGANIZED HIS CHURCH TO ACCOMPLISH CRUCIAL PRIORITIES. ACCORDINGLY, THE ORGANIZATION OF HIS CHURCH HAS A STRUCTURE IN WHICH THE BISHOP HAS A DUAL RESPONSIBILITY. HE HAS DOCTRINAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WARD AS A WHOLE, BUT HE ALSO HAS SPECIFIC DOCTRINAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PRIESTS QUORUM. THE YOUNG MEN WHO ARE PRIESTS AND THE YOUNG WOMEN OF THE SAME AGE ARE AT A VERY IMPORTANT STAGE IN THEIR LIVES AND DEVELOPMENT. DURING A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, THEY MAKE DECISIONS THAT HAVE SIGNIFICANT LIFELONG IMPLICATIONS. THEY DETERMINE WHETHER THEY WILL QUALIFY FOR THE TEMPLE, SERVE A MISSION, STRIVE TO BE MARRIED IN THE TEMPLE, AND PREPARE FOR THEIR LIFE'S WORK. THESE DECISIONS, ONCE MADE, HAVE PROFOUND SPIRITUAL AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THEIR LIVES. BISHOPS, PLEASE KNOW THAT A RELATIVELY SHORT TIME SPENT WITH A YOUNG PRIEST, YOUNG WOMAN, OR YOUNG ADULT CAN HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE POWER AVAILABLE TO THEM THROUGH THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST. IT CAN PROVIDE A VISION THAT WILL HAVE A PROFOUND INFLUENCE UPON THEIR ENTIRE LIFE. ONE OF THE BEST EXAMPLES I HAVE SEEN OF A BISHOP WHO HELPED PROVIDE THIS KIND OF VISION FOR HIS YOUTH WAS BISHOP MOA MAHE. HE WAS CALLED TO BE THE FIRST BISHOP OF THE SAN FRANCISCO TONGAN WARD. HE WAS AN IMMIGRANT FROM VAVA'U, TONGA. HIS WARD WAS LOCATED NEAR THE SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA AIRPORT, WHERE HE WORKED. THE WARD HAD A LARGE NUMBER OF YOUTH, MOST FROM FAMILIES WHO HAD RECENTLY IMMIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES. BISHOP MAHE NOT ONLY TAUGHT THEM IN WORD AND BY EXAMPLE HOW TO BE RIGHTEOUS DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST, BUT HE ALSO HELPED GIVE THEM A VISION OF WHAT THEY COULD BECOME AND HELPED THEM PREPARE FOR THE TEMPLE, MISSIONS, EDUCATION, AND EMPLOYMENT. HE SERVED FOR ALMOST 8 YEARS, AND HIS DREAMS AND DESIRES FOR THE YOUTH BECAME A REALITY. NEARLY 90 PERCENT OF THE YOUNG MEN IN THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS SERVED MISSIONS. 15 YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WERE THE FIRST MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTEND COLLEGE. HE MET WITH THE PRINCIPAL OF THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL--NOT OF OUR FAITH--AND THEY FORGED A FRIENDSHIP AND COLLABORATED ON HOW TO ASSIST EACH YOUNG PERSON TO ACHIEVE WORTHWHILE GOALS AND OVERCOME PROBLEMS. THE PRINCIPAL TOLD ME THAT BISHOP MAHE ASSISTED HIM IN WORKING WITH IMMIGRANTS OF ALL FAITHS WHO WERE STRUGGLING. THE YOUNG PEOPLE KNEW THAT THE BISHOP LOVED THEM. SADLY, BISHOP MAHE PASSED AWAY WHILE SERVING AS BISHOP. I WILL NEVER FORGET HIS TOUCHING AND INSPIRING FUNERAL. THERE WAS A HUGE CROWD. THE CHOIR WAS COMPOSED OF MORE THAN 35 FAITHFUL YOUNG MEMBERS WHO HAD SERVED MISSIONS OR WERE ATTENDING COLLEGE AND WHO HAD BEEN YOUTH DURING HIS SERVICE AS BISHOP. ONE SPEAKER EXPRESSED THE INTENSE FEELING OF APPRECIATION FROM THE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS IN HIS WARD. HE PAID TRIBUTE TO BISHOP MAHE FOR THE VISION HE HAD GIVEN THEM IN PREPARING FOR LIFE AND RIGHTEOUS SERVICE. BUT MOST IMPORTANT, BISHOP MAHE HAD ASSISTED THEM IN BUILDING FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS THE FOUNDATION OF THEIR LIVES. NOW, BISHOPS, WHEREVER YOU SERVE, IN YOUR INTERVIEWS AND OTHER ASSOCIATIONS, YOU CAN PROVIDE THAT KIND OF VISION AND BUILD FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. YOU CAN EXTEND POWERFUL INVITATIONS TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR, PREPARE THEM FOR LIFE, AND INSPIRE THEM TO STAY ON THE COVENANT PATH. IN ADDITION, YOU MAY HELP SOME YOUTH WHO ARE IN CONFLICT WITH PARENTS OVER THINGS THAT ARE RELATIVELY UNIMPORTANT. AT A TIME WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE MAXIMUM CONFLICT WITH THEIR PARENTS, THE PERSON WHO PRESIDES OVER THEIR QUORUM AND TO WHOM THEY ANSWER ECCLESIASTICALLY IS ALSO THE PERSON TO WHOM THEIR PARENTS GO FOR TEMPLE RECOMMENDS. THIS PUTS THE BISHOP IN A UNIQUE POSITION TO COUNSEL BOTH THE YOUTH AND THEIR PARENTS WHEN CONTENTION HAS CREATED A DIVISION. BISHOPS CAN HELP BOTH VIEW THINGS WITH AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE AND RESOLVE ISSUES OF MORE OR LESS IMPORTANCE. WE RECOMMEND THAT BISHOPS NOT HAVE ASSIGNED MINISTERING FAMILIES SO THEY CAN FOCUS THEIR TIME AND ENERGY MINISTERING TO THE YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THESE KINDS OF SITUATIONS. I AM AWARE OF ONE BISHOP WHO WAS ABLE TO RESOLVE EXTREME CONTENTION BETWEEN A SON AND HIS PARENTS, BRINGING HARMONY TO THE HOME AND ENHANCED COMMITMENT TO THE GOSPEL. THE BISHOP HELPED THE PARENTS UNDERSTAND THAT STRIVING TO BE A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EXACTLY HOW AND WHEN FAMILY CHORES WERE ACCOMPLISHED. IN ORDER TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUTH, WHEREVER THEY ARE, INCLUDING AT SCHOOL EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES, BISHOPRICS HAVE BEEN COUNSELED TO DELEGATE APPROPRIATE MEETINGS AND COUNSELING TIME WITH ADULTS. WHILE BISHOPS CAN COUNSEL ON ACUTE AND URGENT MATTERS, WE RECOMMEND THAT DELEGATION OF ONGOING COUNSELING WITH CHRONIC, LESS URGENT MATTERS THAT DO NOT INVOLVE JUDGMENTS AS TO WORTHINESS BE ASSIGNED TO MEMBERS OF THE ELDERS QUORUM OR RELIEF SOCIETY--USUALLY PRESIDENCIES OR MINISTERING BROTHERS AND SISTERS. THE SPIRIT WILL GUIDE THE LEADERS TO SELECT THE RIGHT MEMBERS TO UNDERTAKE THIS COUNSELING. THOSE WHO RECEIVE THIS DELEGATED COUNSELING ASSIGNMENT ARE ENTITLED TO REVELATION. THEY, OF COURSE, MUST ALWAYS MAINTAIN STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY. THOUGHTFUL LEADERS HAVE ALWAYS SACRIFICED FOR THE RISING GENERATION. THIS IS WHERE THE BISHOPRIC MEMBERS SPEND THE MAJORITY OF THEIR CHURCH-SERVICE TIME. I NOW DESIRE TO SAY A FEW THINGS DIRECTLY TO THE YOUTH AND THEN TO OUR BISHOPS. MANY OF YOU PRECIOUS YOUNG PEOPLE MAY NOT HAVE A CLEAR VISION OF WHO YOU ARE AND WHO YOU CAN BECOME. YET YOU ARE AT THE THRESHOLD OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS YOU WILL MAKE IN YOUR LIVES. PLEASE COUNSEL WITH BOTH YOUR PARENTS AND YOUR BISHOP ABOUT IMPORTANT CHOICES THAT ARE AHEAD OF YOU. ALLOW THE BISHOP TO BE YOUR FRIEND AND COUNSELOR. WE ARE AWARE THAT YOU HAVE TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS COMING AT YOU FROM EVERY DIRECTION. WE ALL NEED TO REPENT DAILY, AS PRESIDENT NELSON HAS TAUGHT. PLEASE TALK TO YOUR BISHOP ABOUT ANY MATTER IN WHICH A COMMON JUDGE CAN ASSIST YOU IN GETTING YOUR LIFE IN ORDER WITH THE LORD IN PREPARATION FOR THE "GREAT WORK" HE HAS FOR YOU IN THIS FINAL DISPENSATION. AS PRESIDENT NELSON HAS INVITED YOU, PLEASE QUALIFY YOURSELF TO BE PART OF THE LORD'S YOUTH BATTALION! NOW A WORD FOR YOU PRECIOUS BISHOPS ON BEHALF OF THE LEADERSHIP AND MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH: WE EXPRESS OUR DEEP GRATITUDE TO YOU. WITH THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO MAKE IN RECENT YEARS, DEAR BISHOPS, PLEASE KNOW HOW MUCH WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU. YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE KINGDOM IS ALMOST BEYOND DESCRIPTION. THE CHURCH HAS 30,900 BISHOPS AND BRANCH PRESIDENTS SERVING ACROSS THE WORLD. WE HONOR EACH OF YOU. SOME WORDS AND THE SACRED CALLINGS THEY DESCRIBE ARE IMBUED WITH ALMOST A SPIRITUAL, TRANSCENDENT SIGNIFICANCE. THE CALLING OF BISHOP IS DEFINITELY IN THE TOP TIER OF SUCH WORDS. TO SERVE THE LORD IN THIS CAPACITY IS REMARKABLE IN SO MANY WAYS. THE CALLING, SUSTAINING, AND SETTING APART OF A BISHOP IS A NEVER-TO-BE-FORGOTTEN EXPERIENCE. FOR ME, IT RANKS WITH A SMALL NUMBER OF SUBLIME EVENTS IN THE WIDE RANGE AND DEPTH OF FEELINGS IT EVOKES. IT SITS COMFORTABLY IN A HIERARCHY OF PRECIOUS EVENTS LIKE MARRIAGE AND FATHERHOOD THAT CANNOT BE DESCRIBED IN A FEW WORDS. BISHOPS, WE SUSTAIN YOU! BISHOPS, WE LOVE YOU! YOU ARE TRULY THE LORD'S SHEPHERDS OVER HIS FLOCK. THE SAVIOR WILL NOT FORSAKE YOU IN THESE SACRED CALLINGS. OF THIS I TESTIFY, ON THIS EASTER WEEKEND, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> BROTHER AHMAD S. CORBITT: ALMOST THREE YEARS AGO, PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON INVITED ALL YOUTH OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS TO ENLIST IN "THE LORD'S YOUTH BATTALION TO GATHER ISRAEL" ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEIL. HE SAID, "THAT GATHERING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TAKING PLACE ON EARTH TODAY." I AM ABSOLUTELY SURE YOU YOUTH CAN DO THIS--AND DO IT VERY WELL--BECAUSE OF (1) SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR IDENTITY AND (2) AN ENORMOUS POWER WITHIN YOU. 41 YEARS AGO, TWO MISSIONARIES FROM OUR CHURCH FELT LED TO A HOUSE IN NEW JERSEY IN THE UNITED STATES. IN TIME, MIRACULOUSLY, BOTH PARENTS AND ALL 10 CHILDREN WERE BAPTIZED. IN THE PROPHET'S WORDS, THEY "LET GOD PREVAIL" IN THEIR LIVES. I SHOULD SAY "OUR LIVES." I WAS THE THIRD CHILD. I WAS SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD WHEN I DECIDED TO MAKE A PERMANENT COVENANT TO FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST. BUT GUESS WHAT ELSE I DECIDED? I WOULD NOT SERVE A FULL-TIME MISSION. THAT WAS TOO MUCH. AND THIS COULD NOT BE EXPECTED OF ME, RIGHT? I WAS A BRAND-NEW CHURCH MEMBER. I HAD NO MONEY. BESIDES, ALTHOUGH I HAD JUST GRADUATED FROM THE TOUGHEST HIGH SCHOOL IN NEARBY WEST PHILADELPHIA AND FACED DOWN SOME DANGEROUS CHALLENGES, I WAS SECRETLY TERRIFIED OF LEAVING HOME FOR TWO WHOLE YEARS. BUT I HAD JUST LEARNED THAT I AND ALL OF HUMANITY HAD LIVED WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AS HIS SPIRIT SONS AND DAUGHTERS BEFORE OUR BIRTH. OTHERS NEEDED TO KNOW, AS I KNEW, THAT HE LONGED FOR ALL HIS CHILDREN TO ENJOY ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM. SO BEFORE ANYONE WAS ON EARTH, HE PRESENTED ALL WITH HIS PERFECT PLAN OF SALVATION AND HAPPINESS, WITH JESUS CHRIST AS OUR SAVIOR. TRAGICALLY, SATAN OPPOSED GOD'S PLAN. ACCORDING TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION, "THERE WAS WAR IN HEAVEN"! SATAN CUNNINGLY DECEIVED A THIRD PART OF HEAVENLY FATHER'S SPIRIT CHILDREN INTO LETTING HIM PREVAIL INSTEAD OF GOD. BUT NOT YOU! THE APOSTLE JOHN SAW THAT YOU OVERCAME SATAN "BY THE WORD OF [YOUR] TESTIMONY." KNOWING MY TRUE IDENTITY-- HELPED BY MY PATRIARCHAL BLESSING--GAVE ME THE COURAGE AND FAITH TO ACCEPT PRESIDENT SPENCER W. KIMBALL'S INVITATION TO GATHER ISRAEL. IT WILL BE THE SAME FOR YOU, DEAR FRIENDS. KNOWING YOU OVERCAME SATAN BY THE WORD OF YOUR TESTIMONY BEFORE WILL HELP YOU "LOVE, SHARE, AND INVITE" NOW AND ALWAYS--TO INVITE OTHERS TO COME AND SEE, COME AND HELP, AND COME AND BELONG--AS THAT SAME WAR FOR THE SOULS OF GOD'S CHILDREN RAGES ON. WHAT ABOUT THE ENORMOUS POWER WITHIN YOU? THINK OF THIS: YOU SHOUTED FOR JOY TO COME TO A FALLEN WORLD, WHERE ALL WOULD FACE PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL DEATH. WE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO OVERCOME EITHER ON OUR OWN. WE WOULD NOT ONLY SUFFER FROM OUR OWN SINS BUT OTHERS' SINS TOO. HUMANITY WOULD EXPERIENCE VIRTUALLY EVERY IMAGINABLE TYPE OF BROKENNESS AND DISAPPOINTMENT--ALL WITH A VEIL OF FORGETFULNESS OVER OUR MINDS AND THE WORLD'S WORST ENEMY CONTINUING TO TARGET AND TEMPT US. ALL HOPE FOR RETURNING RESURRECTED AND CLEAN TO GOD'S HOLY PRESENCE RESTED ENTIRELY UPON ONE BEING KEEPING HIS PROMISE. WHAT EMPOWERED YOU TO GO FORWARD? PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING TAUGHT, "IT TOOK FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST TO SUSTAIN THE PLAN OF HAPPINESS AND JESUS CHRIST'S PLACE IN IT WHEN YOU KNEW SO LITTLE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU WOULD FACE IN MORTALITY." WHEN JESUS CHRIST PROMISED HE WOULD COME INTO MORTALITY AND GIVE HIS LIFE TO GATHER AND SAVE US, YOU DID NOT SIMPLY BELIEVE HIM. YOU "NOBLE SPIRITS" HAD SUCH "EXCEEDINGLY GREAT FAITH" THAT YOU SAW HIS PROMISE AS SURE. HE COULD NOT LIE, SO YOU SAW HIM AS IF HE HAD ALREADY SHED HIS BLOOD FOR YOU, LONG BEFORE HE WAS BORN. IN JOHN'S SYMBOLIC WORDS, YOU "OVERCAME [SATAN] BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB." PRESIDENT DALLIN H. OAKS TAUGHT THAT IN THAT WORLD, "[YOU] SAW THE END FROM THE BEGINNING." SUPPOSE ONE DAY, BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR SCHOOL, ONE OF YOUR PARENTS MAKES A TRUE PROMISE THAT YOU CAN HAVE YOUR FAVORITE FOOD WHEN YOU RETURN HOME! YOU ARE EXCITED! WHILE IN SCHOOL, YOU IMAGINE EATING THAT FOOD AND YOU CAN ALREADY TASTE IT. NATURALLY, YOU SHARE YOUR GOOD NEWS WITH OTHERS. LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING HOME MAKES YOU SO HAPPY THAT THE TESTS AND CHALLENGES OF SCHOOL SEEM LIGHT. NOTHING CAN TAKE AWAY YOUR JOY OR MAKE YOU DOUBT BECAUSE OF HOW SURE THE PROMISE IS! SIMILARLY, BEFORE YOU "NOBLE SPIRITS" WERE BORN, YOU LEARNED TO SEE CHRIST'S PROMISES IN THIS SURE WAY, AND YOU TASTED OF HIS SALVATION. YOUR GREAT FAITH IS LIKE MUSCLES THAT GET STRONGER AND BIGGER THE MORE YOU EXERCISE THEM, BUT THEY ARE ALREADY INSIDE YOU. HOW CAN YOU AWAKEN YOUR GIANT FAITH IN CHRIST AND USE IT TO GATHER ISRAEL NOW AND TRIUMPH OVER SATAN AGAIN? BY RELEARNING TO LOOK FORWARD AND SEE WITH THAT SAME CERTAINTY THE LORD'S PROMISE TO GATHER AND SAVE TODAY. HE MAINLY USES THE BOOK OF MORMON AND HIS PROPHETS TO TEACH US HOW. LONG BEFORE CHRIST, "THE [NEPHITE] PROPHETS, AND ... PRIESTS, AND ... TEACHERS ... PERSUAD[ED] [THE PEOPLE] TO LOOK FORWARD UNTO THE MESSIAH, AND BELIEVE IN HIM TO COME AS THOUGH HE ALREADY WAS." THE PROPHET ABINADI TAUGHT, "AND NOW IF CHRIST HAD NOT COME INTO THE WORLD, SPEAKING OF THINGS TO COME AS THOUGH THEY HAD ALREADY COME, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN NO REDEMPTION." LIKE ALMA, ABINADI "LOOK[ED] FORWARD WITH AN EYE OF FAITH, AND [SAW]" GOD'S SURE PROMISE OF SALVATION AS ALREADY FULFILLED. THEY "OVERCAME [SATAN] BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB, AND ... THE WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY" LONG BEFORE CHRIST WAS BORN, JUST AS YOU DID. AND THE LORD GAVE THEM POWER TO INVITE AND GATHER ISRAEL. HE WILL DO THE SAME FOR YOU AS YOU LOOK FORWARD IN FAITH, SEE ISRAEL GATHERED--GLOBALLY AND IN YOUR OWN CIRCLES--AND INVITE ALL! HUNDREDS OF MISSIONARIES BUILT UPON THEIR POWERFUL PREMORTAL FAITH IN CHRIST BY ENVISIONING THOSE THEY CONTACTED OR TAUGHT DRESSED IN BAPTISMAL AND TEMPLE CLOTHING. IN A TALK TITLED "BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND," PRESIDENT NELSON SHARED A PERSONAL EXAMPLE OF DOING THIS AND INSTRUCTED MISSION LEADERS TO TEACH OUR MISSIONARIES TO DO THE SAME. KNOWING THEY EXERCISED THIS GREAT FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST IN THE PREMORTAL WORLD IMMENSELY HELPED OUR DEAR MISSIONARIES "HEAR HIM" AND ACTIVATE THEIR ENORMOUS FAITH TO GATHER ISRAEL AS THE LORD PROMISED. OF COURSE, IMAGINING LIES HARMS FAITH. MY FRIENDS, INTENTIONALLY ENVISIONING OR VIEWING THINGS THAT CONFLICT WITH WHO YOU REALLY ARE, ESPECIALLY PORNOGRAPHY, WILL WEAKEN YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST AND WITHOUT REPENTANCE COULD DESTROY IT. PLEASE USE YOUR IMAGINATIONS TO INCREASE FAITH IN CHRIST, NOT RUIN IT. THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAM IS A PROPHETIC TOOL TO HELP YOU YOUTH POWER UP YOUR GREAT FAITH. PRESIDENT OAKS TAUGHT, "THAT PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU BECOME MORE LIKE OUR SAVIOR IN FOUR AREAS: SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND INTELLECTUAL." AS YOU YOUTH LEAD--LEAD IN LIVING THE GOSPEL, CARING FOR OTHERS, INVITING ALL TO RECEIVE THE GOSPEL, UNITING FAMILIES FOR ETERNITY, AND ORGANIZING FUN ACTIVITIES, THE GREAT FAITH IN CHRIST YOU HAD IN THE PREMORTAL LIFE WILL RESURFACE AND EMPOWER YOU TO DO HIS WORK IN THIS LIFE! ALSO, PERSONAL GOALS, "ESPECIALLY SHORT-TERM GOALS," HELP YOU REIGNITE YOUR POWERFUL FAITH. WHEN YOU SET A GOOD GOAL, YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD-AS YOU DID BEFORE-AND SEEING WHAT YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER WANTS YOU OR ANOTHER TO BECOME. ELDER QUENTIN L. COOK TAUGHT, "NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING, SETTING GOALS ... AND [INVITING OTHERS]--ALL WITH AN EYE OF FAITH." THE CHOICE IS YOURS! THE LORD SAID OF YOU, "THE POWER [TO CHOOSE] IS IN THEM." ELDER NEIL L. ANDERSEN EXPLAINED, "YOUR FAITH WILL GROW NOT BY CHANCE BUT BY CHOICE." HE ADDED, "[ANY] HONEST QUESTIONS [YOU MAY HAVE] ... WILL BE SETTLED WITH PATIENCE AND AN EYE OF FAITH." I TESTIFY THAT (1) YOUR TRUE IDENTITY AND (2) THE ENORMOUS POWER OF FAITH IN CHRIST WITHIN YOU WILL ENABLE YOU TO "HELP PREPARE THE WORLD FOR THE SAVIOR'S RETURN BY INVITING ALL TO COME UNTO CHRIST AND RECEIVE THE BLESSINGS OF HIS ATONEMENT." MAY WE ALL SHARE THE JOY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON'S SURE PROMISE "THE RIGHTEOUS THAT HEARKEN UNTO THE ... PROPHETS ... [AND] LOOK FORWARD UNTO CHRIST WITH STEADFASTNESS ... NOTWITHSTANDING ALL PERSECUTION WITH HIM." IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> ELDER S. GIFFORD NIELSEN: IN 1978, I STOOD ON A FOOTBALL FIELD IN A STADIUM PACKED WITH 65,000 FANS. IN FRONT OF ME WERE SEVERAL VERY LARGE OPPONENTS WHO LOOKED LIKE THEY WANTED TO TAKE MY HEAD OFF. IT WAS MY FIRST GAME AS A STARTING QUARTERBACK IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, AND WE WERE PLAYING THE REIGNING SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS. TO BE HONEST, I QUESTIONED WHETHER I WAS GOOD ENOUGH TO BE ON THE FIELD. I DROPPED BACK TO THROW MY FIRST PASS, AND AS I RELEASED THE BALL, I WAS HIT HARDER THAN I'D EVER BEEN HIT BEFORE. AT THAT MOMENT, LYING UNDER A PILE OF THOSE MASSIVE ATHLETES, I WONDERED WHAT I WAS DOING THERE. I HAD A DECISION TO MAKE. WOULD I LET MY DOUBTS OVERTAKE ME, OR WOULD I FIND COURAGE AND STRENGTH TO GET UP AND CARRY ON? I DIDN'T REALIZE AT THE TIME HOW THIS EXPERIENCE WOULD PREPARE ME FOR FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES. I NEEDED TO LEARN THAT I COULD BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS IN THE FACE OF DIFFICULT SITUATIONS. A FOOTBALL GAME MIGHT NOT BE NEARLY AS IMPORTANT AS THE CHALLENGES YOU WILL FACE. IN MOST CASES, THERE WON'T BE A STADIUM FULL OF PEOPLE WATCHING. BUT YOUR VALIANT DECISIONS WILL HAVE ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE. MAYBE WE DON'T ALWAYS FEEL UP TO THE CHALLENGE. BUT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SEES US AS FEARLESS BUILDERS OF HIS KINGDOM. THAT IS WHY HE SENT US HERE DURING THIS MOST DECISIVE TIME IN THE WORLD'S HISTORY. THIS IS OUR TIME! PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON SAID SHORTLY AFTER BECOMING PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH: "OUR SAVIOR AND REDEEMER, JESUS CHRIST, WILL PERFORM SOME OF HIS MIGHTIEST WORKS BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN HE COMES AGAIN. WE WILL SEE MIRACULOUS INDICATIONS THAT GOD THE FATHER AND HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, PRESIDE OVER THIS CHURCH IN MAJESTY AND GLORY." MIGHTIEST WORKS? MIRACULOUS INDICATIONS? WHAT WILL THAT LOOK LIKE? WHAT ROLE WILL WE PLAY, AND HOW WILL WE UNDERSTAND WHAT TO DO? I DON'T KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS, BUT I DO KNOW THAT THE LORD NEEDS US TO BE READY! WORTHILY EXERCISING PRIESTHOOD POWER HAS NEVER BEEN MORE CRUCIAL. DO WE BELIEVE GOD'S PROPHET? CAN WE FIND AND FULFILL OUR DESTINY? YES, WE CAN, AND YES, WE MUST, BECAUSE THIS IS OUR TIME! WHEN WE HEAR STORIES OF GOD'S MIGHTY SERVANTS WHO CAME BEFORE US-LIKE MOSES, MARY, MORONI, ALMA, ESTHER, JOSEPH, AND MANY OTHERS-THEY SEEM BIGGER THAN LIFE. BUT THEY WERE NOT THAT DIFFERENT FROM US. THEY WERE REGULAR PEOPLE WHO FACED CHALLENGES. THEY TRUSTED THE LORD. THEY MADE THE RIGHT CHOICES AT PIVOTAL MOMENTS. AND WITH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, THEY PERFORMED THE WORKS REQUIRED IN THEIR TIME. CONSIDER THE OLD TESTAMENT HERO JOSHUA. HE WAS A DEVOTED FOLLOWER OF MOSES, ONE OF THE GREATEST LEADERS IN HISTORY. AFTER MOSES DEPARTED, IT WAS JOSHUA'S TIME. HE WAS TO LEAD THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL INTO THE PROMISED LAND. HOW WOULD HE DO THAT? JOSHUA HAD BEEN BORN AND RAISED IN SLAVERY IN EGYPT. HE HAD NO HANDBOOK OR INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS TO HELP HIM. HE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A SMARTPHONE! BUT HE DID HAVE THIS PROMISE FROM THE LORD: "AS I WAS WITH MOSES, SO I WILL BE WITH THEE: I WILL NOT FAIL THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE. BE STRONG AND OF A GOOD COURAGE." WHEN I WAS A NEW AND INEXPERIENCED SEVENTY, I RECEIVED AN URGENT PHONE CALL FROM THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY, ASKING IF I WOULD REPRESENT THE PROPHET IN VISITING A YOUNG MAN IN THE HOSPITAL-IMMEDIATELY. THE YOUNG MAN'S NAME WAS ZACH. HE WAS PREPARING TO BE A MISSIONARY BUT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND SUFFERED A SERIOUS HEAD INJURY. AS I DROVE TO THE HOSPITAL, MY MIND RACED. AN ERRAND FOR THE PROPHET-ARE YOU KIDDING? WHAT AM I GOING TO FACE? HOW WILL I HELP THIS YOUNG MAN? DO I HAVE ENOUGH FAITH? FERVENT PRAYER AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT I POSSESSED THE AUTHORITY OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD BECAME MY ANCHORS. WHEN I ARRIVED, ZACH WAS LYING IN A HOSPITAL BED. AN ORDERLY STOOD READY TO WHISK HIM TO THE OPERATING ROOM SO DOCTORS COULD RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON HIS BRAIN. I LOOKED AT HIS TEARFUL MOM AND A FEARFUL YOUNG FRIEND STANDING NEARBY, AND I KNEW CLEARLY THAT ZACH NEEDED A PRIESTHOOD BLESSING. HIS FRIEND HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD, SO I ASKED HIM TO HELP ME. I FELT THE POWER OF THE PRIESTHOOD AS WE HUMBLY GAVE ZACH A BLESSING. THEN HE WAS HURRIED AWAY FOR THE SURGERY, AND A PEACEFUL FEELING CONFIRMED THAT THE SAVIOR WOULD HANDLE THINGS ACCORDING TO HIS WISDOM. THE MEDICAL STAFF PERFORMED ONE LAST X-RAY BEFORE MAKING THE INITIAL INCISION. THEY DISCOVERED, TO THEIR ASTONISHMENT, THAT NO OPERATION WOULD BE NEEDED. AFTER MUCH THERAPY, ZACH LEARNED TO WALK AND TALK AGAIN. HE SERVED A SUCCESSFUL MISSION AND IS NOW RAISING A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. OF COURSE, THAT IS NOT ALWAYS THE OUTCOME. I HAVE GIVEN OTHER PRIESTHOOD BLESSINGS WITH EQUAL FAITH, AND THE LORD DID NOT GRANT COMPLETE HEALING IN THIS LIFE. WE TRUST HIS PURPOSES AND LEAVE THE RESULTS TO HIM. WE CAN'T ALWAYS CHOOSE THE OUTCOME OF OUR ACTIONS, BUT WE CAN CHOOSE TO BE READY TO ACT. YOU MIGHT NOT EVER BE ASKED TO REPRESENT THE FIRST PRESIDENCY IN A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. BUT WE ARE ALL CALLED UPON TO DO LIFE-CHANGING THINGS AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LORD. HE WILL NOT FORSAKE US. THIS IS OUR TIME! PETER, THE SAVIOR'S CHIEF APOSTLE, WAS IN A SHIP ON THE SEA WHEN HE SAW JESUS WALKING ON THE WATER. HE WANTED TO JOIN HIM, AND THE SAVIOR SAID, "COME." COURAGEOUSLY, AND MIRACULOUSLY, PETER LEFT THE SAFETY OF THE BOAT AND BEGAN WALKING TOWARD THE SAVIOR. BUT WHEN PETER FOCUSED ON THE BOISTEROUS WIND, HIS FAITH FALTERED. "HE WAS AFRAID; AND BEGINNING TO SINK, HE CRIED, SAYING, LORD, SAVE ME. AND IMMEDIATELY JESUS STRETCHED FORTH HIS HAND, AND CAUGHT HIM." WHEN WINDS BLOW IN OUR LIVES, WHERE IS OUR FOCUS? REMEMBER, THERE IS ALWAYS ONE RELIABLE SOURCE OF STRENGTH AND COURAGE. THE ARMS OF JESUS EXTEND TO US, JUST AS THEY EXTENDED TO PETER. AS WE REACH FOR HIM, HE WILL LOVINGLY RESCUE US. WE ARE HIS. HE SAID, "FEAR NOT: FOR I HAVE REDEEMED THEE, I HAVE CALLED THEE BY THY NAME; THOU ART MINE." HE WILL PREVAIL IN YOUR LIFE IF YOU LET HIM. THE CHOICE IS YOURS. AT THE END OF HIS LIFE, JOSHUA PLEADED WITH HIS PEOPLE, "CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YE WILL SERVE; ... BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD." BECAUSE OF THE CHOICES HE MADE TO SERVE THE LORD, JOSHUA BECAME A GREAT LEADER IN HIS TIME. MY DEAR FRIENDS, THIS IS OUR TIME! AND THE CHOICES WE MAKE WILL DETERMINE OUR DESTINY. WHILE I WAS SERVING AS A BISHOP, WE HAD A MOTTO IN OUR WARD: "GOOD CHOICES EQUAL HAPPINESS-ETERNALLY." THE YOUTH WOULD PASS ME IN THE HALL SAYING, "BISHOP, I'M MAKING GOOD CHOICES!" THAT'S A BISHOP'S DREAM! WHAT DO WE MEAN BY "GOOD CHOICES"? SOMEONE ONCE ASKED JESUS, "WHICH IS THE GREAT COMMANDMENT IN THE LAW?" HE ANSWERED: "THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND. THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREAT COMMANDMENT. AND THE SECOND IS LIKE UNTO IT, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF." I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT WHEN I READ THESE TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS, I DETECT A THIRD, IMPLIED COMMANDMENT: TO LOVE THYSELF. HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF LOVING YOURSELF AS A COMMANDMENT? HOW DO WE TRULY LOVE GOD AND LOVE HIS CHILDREN IF WE DON'T LOVE OURSELVES? A WISE LEADER RECENTLY COUNSELED A MAN WHO WAS TRYING TO OVERCOME YEARS OF DESTRUCTIVE CHOICES. THE MAN FELT ASHAMED DOUBTING THAT HE WAS WORTHY OF ANYONE'S LOVE. HIS LEADER SAID TO HIM, "THE LORD KNOWS YOU, LOVES YOU, AND IS PLEASED [WITH] YOU AND THE COURAGEOUS STEPS YOU ARE TAKING." BUT THEN HE ADDED, "[YOU] NEED TO HEAR THE COMMANDMENT TO LOVE YOURSELF SO YOU CAN FEEL [GOD'S] LOVE AND LOVE OTHERS." WHEN THIS BROTHER HEARD THAT COUNSEL, HE SAW LIFE WITH NEW EYES. HE LATER SAID, "I HAVE SPENT MY WHOLE LIFE TRYING TO FIND PEACE AND ACCEPTANCE. I HAVE LOOKED FOR THOSE THINGS IN MANY WRONG PLACES. ONLY IN THE LOVE OF HEAVENLY FATHER AND THE SAVIOR CAN I FIND COMFORT. I KNOW THEY WANT ME TO LOVE MYSELF; IT REALLY IS THE ONLY WAY I CAN FEEL THEIR LOVE FOR ME." OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WANTS US TO LOVE OURSELVES-NOT TO BECOME PRIDEFUL OR SELF-CENTERED BUT TO SEE OURSELVES AS HE SEES US. WE ARE HIS CHERISHED CHILDREN. WHEN THIS TRUTH SINKS DEEP INTO OUR HEARTS, OUR LOVE FOR GOD GROWS. WHEN WE VIEW OURSELVES WITH SINCERE RESPECT, OUR HEARTS ARE OPEN TO TREAT OTHERS THAT WAY TOO. THE MORE WE RECOGNIZE OUR DIVINE WORTH, THE BETTER WE UNDERSTAND THIS DIVINE TRUTH: THAT GOD HAS SENT US RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW, AT THIS MOMENTOUS TIME IN HISTORY, SO THAT WE CAN DO THE GREATEST POSSIBLE GOOD WITH THE TALENTS AND GIFTS WE HAVE. THIS IS OUR TIME! JOSEPH SMITH TAUGHT THAT EVERY PROPHET, IN EVERY AGE, "LOOKED FORWARD WITH JOYFUL ANTICIPATION TO THE DAY IN WHICH WE LIVE; ... THEY HAVE SUNG AND WRITTEN AND PROPHESIED OF THIS OUR DAY; ... WE ARE THE FAVORED PEOPLE THAT GOD HAS [CHOSEN] TO BRING ABOUT THE LATTER-DAY GLORY." AS YOU FACE YOUR DAILY CHALLENGES, REMEMBER THIS REASSURANCE OFFERED BY ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND: "SO MUCH RESTS ON OUR SHOULDERS, BUT IT WILL BE A GLORIOUS AND SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE. ... THE VICTORY IN THIS FINAL CONTEST HAS ALREADY BEEN DECLARED. THE VICTORY IS ALREADY IN THE RECORD BOOKS ... THE SCRIPTURES!" ON THIS BEAUTIFUL EASTER AND VERY SPECIAL WEEKEND, MAY I EXTEND AN INVITATION THAT WE ALL PRAY TO RECOGNIZE AND EMBRACE OUR INDIVIDUAL ROLES AS WE PREPARE FOR THE GLORIOUS DAY WHEN THE SAVIOR COMES AGAIN. THE LORD LOVES US MORE THAN WE CAN COMPREHEND, AND HE WILL ANSWER OUR PRAYERS! WHETHER WE ARE ON A FOOTBALL FIELD, IN A HOSPITAL ROOM, OR IN ANY OTHER PLACE, WE CAN BE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THESE REMARKABLE EVENTS-BECAUSE THIS IS OUR TIME! IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> PRESIDENT OAKS: WE INVITE YOU, WHEREVER YOU ARE, TO JOIN THE CHOIR IN SINGING “HARK, ALL YE NATIONS!” AFTER THE SINGING, WE WILL BE PLEASED TO HEAR FROM PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING, SECOND COUNSELOR IN THE FIRST PRESIDENCY. IT WILL THEN BE MY PRIVILEGE TO ADDRESS YOU. ♪♪ >> LLOYD NEWELL: THIS IS THE PRIESTHOOD SESSION OF THE 191ST ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. ♪♪ ♪ HARK, ALL YE NATIONS!
HEAR HEAVEN'S VOICE ♪ ♪ THRU EV'RY LAND
THAT ALL MAY REJOICE! ♪ ♪ ANGELS OF GLORY
SHOUT THE REFRAIN: ♪ ♪ TRUTH IS RESTORED
AGAIN! ♪ ♪ OH, HOW GLORIOUS
FROM THE THRONE ABOVE ♪ ♪ SHINES THE GOSPEL LIGHT
OF TRUTH AND LOVE! ♪ ♪ BRIGHT AS THE SUN,
THIS HEAVENLY RAY ♪ ♪ LIGHTS EV'RY LAND
TODAY. ♪ ♪ SEARCHING IN DARKNESS,
NATIONS HAVE WEPT; ♪ ♪ WATCHING FOR DAWN,
THEIR VIGIL THEY'VE KEPT. ♪ ♪ ALL NOW REJOICE;
THE LONG NIGHT IS O'ER. ♪ ♪ TRUTH IS ON EARTH
ONCE MORE! ♪ ♪ OH, HOW GLORIOUS
FROM THE THRONE ABOVE ♪ ♪ SHINES THE GOSPEL LIGHT
OF TRUTH AND LOVE! ♪ ♪ BRIGHT AS THE SUN,
THIS HEAVENLY RAY ♪ ♪ LIGHTS EV'RY LAND
TODAY. ♪ ♪ CHOSEN BY GOD
TO SERVE HIM BELOW, ♪ ♪ TO EV'RY LAND
AND PEOPLE WE'LL GO, ♪ ♪ STANDING FOR TRUTH
WITH FERVENT ACCORD, ♪ ♪ TEACHING
HIS HOLY WORD. ♪ ♪ OH, HOW GLORIOUS
FROM THE THRONE ABOVE ♪ ♪ SHINES THE GOSPEL LIGHT
OF TRUTH AND LOVE! ♪ ♪ BRIGHT AS THE SUN,
THIS HEAVENLY RAY ♪ ♪ LIGHTS EV'RY LAND
TODAY. ♪♪ >> PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING: MY DEAR BRETHREN, FELLOW SERVANTS IN THE PRIESTHOOD OF GOD, IT IS AN HONOR FOR ME TO SPEAK TO YOU TONIGHT. YOU HAVE MY DEEPEST RESPECT AND GRATITUDE. WHEN I SPEAK WITH YOU AND HEAR OF YOUR GREAT FAITH, IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THERE IS EVER-INCREASING PRIESTHOOD POWER IN THE WORLD, WITH EVER STRONGER QUORUMS AND EVER MORE FAITHFUL PRIESTHOOD HOLDERS. IN MY FEW MOMENTS THIS EVENING, I WILL SPEAK TO THOSE OF YOU WHO WANT TO BE EVEN MORE EFFECTIVE IN YOUR PERSONAL PRIESTHOOD SERVICE. YOU KNOW OF THE CHARGE THAT YOU ARE TO MAGNIFY YOUR CALL TO SERVE. BUT YOU MAY WONDER WHAT "TO MAGNIFY YOUR CALLING" CAN MEAN FOR YOU. I WILL START WITH THE NEWEST DEACONS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE MOST LIKELY TO FEEL UNCERTAIN ABOUT WHAT MAGNIFYING THEIR PRIESTHOOD SERVICE MEANS. NEWLY ORDAINED ELDERS MIGHT ALSO WANT TO LISTEN, AND A BISHOP IN HIS FIRST WEEKS OF SERVICE MIGHT BE INTERESTED TOO. IT IS INSTRUCTIVE FOR ME, AT LEAST, TO LOOK BACK ON MY DAYS AS A DEACON. I WISH THAT SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME THEN WHAT I WILL SUGGEST NOW. IT COULD HAVE HELPED IN ALL THE PRIESTHOOD ASSIGNMENTS THAT HAVE COME TO ME SINCE THEN-- EVEN THE ONES I RECEIVE IN THE PRESENT DAY. I WAS ORDAINED A DEACON IN A BRANCH SO SMALL THAT I WAS THE ONLY DEACON AND MY BROTHER TED THE ONLY TEACHER. WE WERE THE ONLY FAMILY IN THE BRANCH. THE ENTIRE BRANCH MET IN OUR HOME. THE PRIESTHOOD LEADER FOR MY BROTHER AND ME WAS A NEW CONVERT WHO HAD JUST RECEIVED THE PRIESTHOOD HIMSELF. I BELIEVED THEN MY ONLY PRIESTHOOD DUTY WAS TO PASS THE SACRAMENT IN MY OWN DINING ROOM. WHEN MY FAMILY MOVED TO UTAH, I FOUND MYSELF IN A LARGE WARD WITH MANY DEACONS. IN MY FIRST SACRAMENT MEETING THERE, I OBSERVED THE DEACONS --ARMY IT SEEMED TO ME--MOVING WITH PRECISION AS THEY PASSED THE SACRAMENT LIKE A TRAINED TEAM. THE NEXT SUNDAY I WENT EARLY TO THE WARD BUILDING TO BE BY MYSELF WHEN NO ONE COULD SEE ME. I PRAYED FERVENTLY FOR HELP TO KNOW HOW NOT TO FAIL AS I TOOK MY PLACE IN THE PASSING OF THE SACRAMENT. AS I RECALL, IT WAS IN THE YALE WARD, AND I SERVED BEHIND A STATUE SO NO ONE COULD SEE ME. THAT PRAYER WAS ANSWERED. BUT I KNOW NOW THAT THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO PRAY AND TO THINK AS WE TRY TO GROW IN OUR PRIESTHOOD SERVICE. IT HAS COME BY MY UNDERSTANDING WHY INDIVIDUALS ARE GIVEN THE PRIESTHOOD. THE PURPOSE FOR OUR RECEIVING THE PRIESTHOOD IS TO ALLOW US TO BLESS PEOPLE FOR THE LORD, DOING SO IN HIS NAME. IT WAS YEARS AFTER I WAS A DEACON WHEN I LEARNED WHAT THAT MEANS PRACTICALLY. FOR INSTANCE, AS A HIGH PRIEST, I WAS ASSIGNED TO VISIT A CARE CENTER SACRAMENT MEETING. I WAS ASKED TO PASS THE SACRAMENT. INSTEAD OF THINKING ABOUT THE PROCESS OR PRECISION IN THE WAY I PASSED THE SACRAMENT, I INSTEAD LOOKED IN THE FACES OF EACH ELDERLY PERSON. I SAW MANY OF THEM WEEPING. ONE LADY GRABBED MY SLEEVE, LOOKED UP, AND SAID ALOUD, "OH, THANK YOU, THANK YOU." THE LORD HAD BLESSED MY SERVICE GIVEN IN HIS NAME. THAT DAY I HAD PRAYED FOR SUCH A MIRACLE TO COME INSTEAD OF PRAYING FOR HOW WELL I MIGHT DO MY PART. I PRAYED THAT THE PEOPLE WOULD FEEL THE LORD'S LOVE THROUGH MY LOVING SERVICE. I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS THE KEY TO SERVING AND BLESSING OTHERS IN HIS NAME. I HEARD A RECENT EXPERIENCE THAT REMINDED ME OF SUCH LOVE. WHEN ALL CHURCH MEETINGS WERE SUSPENDED DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, A MINISTERING BROTHER ACCEPTED AN ASSIGNMENT FROM HIS ELDERS QUORUM PRESIDENT TO BLESS AND ADMINISTER THE SACRAMENT TO A SISTER HE MINISTERS TO. WHEN HE CALLED HER TO OFFER TO BRING THE SACRAMENT, SHE ACCEPTED RELUCTANTLY, HATING TO TAKE HIM OUT OF HIS OWN HOME IN SUCH A DANGEROUS TIME AND ALSO BELIEVING THAT THINGS WOULD QUICKLY RETURN TO NORMAL. BUT WHEN HE ARRIVED AT HER HOME THAT SUNDAY MORNING, SHE HAD A REQUEST. COULD THEY WALK NEXT DOOR AND ALSO HAVE THE SACRAMENT WITH HER 87-YEAR-OLD NEIGHBOR? WITH THE BISHOP'S AUTHORIZATION, HE AGREED. FOR MANY, MANY WEEKS, AND WITH VERY CAREFUL SOCIAL DISTANCING AND OTHER SAFETY MEASURES, THAT SMALL GROUP OF SAINTS GATHERED EACH SUNDAY FOR A SIMPLE SACRAMENT SERVICE. JUST A FEW PIECES OF BROKEN BREAD AND CUPS OF WATER-- BUT MANY TEARS SHED FOR THE GOODNESS OF A LOVING GOD. IN TIME, THE MINISTERING BROTHER, HIS FAMILY, AND THE SISTER HE MINISTERS TO WERE ABLE TO RETURN TO CHURCH. BUT THE 87-YEAR-OLD WIDOW, THE NEIGHBOR, OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, HAD TO REMAIN HOME. THE MINISTERING BROTHER-- REMEMBER THAT HIS ASSIGNMENT WAS TO HER NEIGHBOR AND NOT EVEN TO THIS ELDERLY SISTER HERSELF-- STILL TO THIS DAY QUIETLY COMES TO HER HOME EACH SUNDAY, SCRIPTURES AND A TINY PIECE OF BREAD IN HAND, TO ADMINISTER THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. HIS PRIESTHOOD SERVICE, LIKE MINE THAT DAY IN THE CARE CENTER, IS GIVEN OUT OF LOVE. IN FACT, THE MINISTERING BROTHER RECENTLY ASKED HIS BISHOP IF THERE WERE OTHERS IN THE WARD HE COULD CARE FOR. HIS DESIRE TO MAGNIFY HIS PRIESTHOOD SERVICE HAS GROWN AS HE HAS SERVED IN THE LORD'S NAME AND IN A WAY KNOWN ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY TO HIM. I DON'T KNOW IF THE MINISTERING BROTHER HAS PRAYED, AS I DID, FOR THOSE HE SERVES TO KNOW OF THE LORD'S LOVE, BUT BECAUSE HIS SERVICE HAS BEEN IN THE LORD'S NAME, THE RESULT HAS BEEN THE SAME. THE SAME WONDERFUL RESULT COMES WHEN I PRAY FOR IT BEFORE I GIVE A PRIESTHOOD BLESSING TO SOMEONE WHO IS ILL OR IN A TIME OF NEED. IT HAPPENED ONCE IN A HOSPITAL WHEN IMPATIENT DOCTORS URGED ME -- MORE THAN URGED ME, ORDERED ME TO GET OUR OF THEIR WAY, TO HURRY IN GIVING A PRIESTHOOD AT THAT DAY, I DIDN'T LET MY FEELINGS GET IN THE WAY, I KNEW WHAT THE BLESSING WAS, AND I BLESSED HER TO BE HEALED, AND SHE WAS. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES, AS I'VE GIVEN A BLESSING TO SOMEONE NEAR DEATH, WITH FAMILY MEMBERS SURROUNDING THE BED, HOPING FOR A BLESSING OF HEALING. EVEN IF I ONLY HAVE A MOMENT, I PRAY TO THE LORD TO ASK WHAT BLESSING THE LORD HAS IN STORE THAT I CAN GIVE IN HIS NAME. AND I ASK TO KNOW HOW HE WANTS TO BLESS THAT PERSON AND NOT WHAT I OR THE PEOPLE STANDING NEARBY WANT. MY EXPERIENCE IS THAT EVEN WHEN THE BLESSING IS NOT WHAT OTHERS DESIRE FOR THEMSELVES OR THEIR LOVED ONES, THE SPIRIT TOUCHES THEIR HEARTS TO EXPERIENCE ACCEPTANCE AND COMFORT RATHER THAN DISAPPOINTMENT. THE SAME INSPIRATION COMES WHEN PATRIARCHS FAST AND PRAY FOR GUIDANCE TO GIVE THE BLESSING THE LORD WANTS FOR A PERSON. AGAIN, I HAVE HEARD BLESSINGS GIVEN THAT SURPRISED ME AND ALSO SURPRISED THE PERSON RECEIVING THE BLESSING. CLEARLY, THE BLESSING WAS FROM THE LORD-BOTH THE WARNINGS IT CONTAINS AS WELL AS THE PROMISES SHARED IN HIS NAME. THE PATRIARCH'S PRAYER AND FASTING WERE REWARDED BY THE LORD. AS A BISHOP, I LEARNED WHILE CONDUCTING WORTHINESS INTERVIEWS TO PRAY FOR THE LORD TO LET ME SENSE WHAT HE WANTED FOR THE PERSON, KEEPING ANY INSPIRATION HE WOULD PROVIDE UNCLOUDED BY MY OWN JUDGMENT. THAT IS HARD IF THE LORD, IN LOVE, MAY WANT TO BLESS SOMEONE WITH CORRECTION. IT TAKES EFFORT TO DISTINGUISH WHAT THE LORD WANTS FROM WHAT YOU AND THE OTHER PERSON WANT AND THE OTHER PERSON MAY WANT. I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN MAGNIFY OUR PRIESTHOOD SERVICE OVER OUR LIFETIME AND PERHAPS BEYOND. IT WILL DEPEND ON OUR DILIGENCE IN TRYING TO KNOW THE LORD'S WILL AND OUR EFFORTS TO HEAR HIS VOICE SO THAT WE CAN KNOW BETTER WHAT HE WANTS FOR THE PERSON WE ARE SERVING FOR HIM. THAT MAGNIFICATION WILL COME IN SMALL STEPS. IT MAY COME SLOWLY, BUT IT WILL COME. THE LORD PROMISES THIS TO US: "FOR WHOSO IS FAITHFUL UNTO THE OBTAINING THESE TWO PRIESTHOODS OF WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN, AND THE MAGNIFYING THEIR CALLING, ARE SANCTIFIED BY THE SPIRIT UNTO THE RENEWING OF THEIR BODIES. "THEY BECOME THE SONS OF MOSES AND OF AARON AND THE SEED OF ABRAHAM, AND THE CHURCH AND KINGDOM, AND THE ELECT OF GOD. "AND ALSO ALL THEY WHO RECEIVE THIS PRIESTHOOD RECEIVE ME, SAITH THE LORD." IT IS MY WITNESS THAT THE KEYS OF THE PRIESTHOOD WERE RESTORED TO THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH. SERVANTS OF THE LORD APPEARED FROM HEAVEN TO RESTORE THE PRIESTHOOD FOR THE GREAT EVENTS THAT HAVE UNFOLDED AND THAT LIE BEFORE US. ISRAEL WILL BE GATHERED. THE LORD'S PEOPLE WILL BE PREPARED FOR HIS GLORIOUS SECOND COMING. THE RESTORATION WILL CONTINUE. THE LORD WILL REVEAL MORE OF HIS WILL TO HIS PROPHETS. AND TO HIS SERVANTS. YOU MAY FEEL SMALL COMPARED TO THE GREAT SWEEP OF WHAT THE LORD WILL DO. IF YOU DO, I INVITE YOU TO ASK PRAYERFULLY HOW THE LORD SEES YOU. HE KNOWS YOU PERSONALLY, HE CONFERRED THE PRIESTHOOD UPON YOU, AND YOUR RISING UP AND MAGNIFYING THE PRIESTHOOD MATTER TO HIM BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU AND HE TRUSTS YOU TO BLESS PEOPLE HE LOVES IN HIS NAME. I BLESS YOU NOW TO BE ABLE TO FEEL HIS LOVE AND HIS TRUST. IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> PRESIDENT DALLIN H. OAKS: IN A SATURDAY EVENING MEETING AT A STAKE CONFERENCE MANY YEARS AGO, I MET A WOMAN WHO SAID HER FRIENDS HAD ASKED HER TO COME BACK TO CHURCH AFTER MANY YEARS OF INACTIVITY, BUT SHE COULD NOT THINK OF ANY REASON WHY SHE SHOULD. TO ENCOURAGE HER, I SAID, "WHEN YOU CONSIDER ALL OF THE THINGS THE SAVIOR HAS DONE FOR YOU, YOU HAVE MANY REASONS TO COME BACK TO WORSHIP AND SERVE HIM." I WAS ASTONISHED WHEN SHE REPLIED, "WHAT'S HE DONE FOR ME?" WHAT HAS JESUS CHRIST DONE FOR EACH OF US? HE HAS DONE EVERYTHING THAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR JOURNEY THROUGH MORTALITY TOWARD THE DESTINY OUTLINED IN THE PLAN OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. I WILL SPEAK OF FOUR OF THE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF THAT PLAN. IN EACH OF THESE, HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, JESUS CHRIST, IS THE CENTRAL FIGURE. MOTIVATING ALL OF THIS IS "THE LOVE OF GOD, WHICH SHEDDETH ITSELF ABROAD IN THE HEARTS OF THE CHILDREN OF MEN; WHEREFORE, IT IS THE MOST DESIRABLE ABOVE ALL THINGS." JUST BEFORE EASTER SUNDAY, IT IS TIMELY TO SPEAK FIRST OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST. THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD IS THE REASSURING PERSONAL PILLAR OF OUR FAITH. IT ADDS MEANING TO OUR DOCTRINE, MOTIVATION TO OUR BEHAVIOR, AND HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE. BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE AND BOOK OF MORMON DESCRIPTIONS OF THE LITERAL RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST, WE ALSO ACCEPT THE NUMEROUS SCRIPTURAL TEACHINGS THAT A SIMILAR RESURRECTION WILL COME TO ALL MORTALS WHO HAVE EVER LIVED UPON THIS EARTH. AS JESUS TAUGHT, "BECAUSE I LIVE, YE SHALL LIVE ALSO." AND HIS APOSTLE TAUGHT THAT "THE DEAD SHALL BE RAISED INCORRUPTIBLE" AND "THIS MORTAL [SHALL HAVE] PUT ON IMMORTALITY." BUT THE RESURRECTION GIVES US MORE THAN THIS ASSURANCE OF IMMORTALITY. IT CHANGES THE WAY WE VIEW MORTAL LIFE. THE RESURRECTION GIVES US THE PERSPECTIVE AND THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE THE MORTAL CHALLENGES FACED BY EACH OF US AND THOSE WE LOVE. IT GIVES US A NEW WAY TO VIEW THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, OR EMOTIONAL DEFICIENCIES WE HAVE AT BIRTH OR ACQUIRE DURING MORTAL LIFE. IT GIVES US THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE SORROWS, FAILURES, AND FRUSTRATION. BECAUSE EACH OF US HAS AN ASSURED RESURRECTION, WE KNOW THAT THESE MORTAL DEFICIENCIES AND OPPOSITIONS ARE ONLY TEMPORARY. THE RESURRECTION ALSO GIVES US A POWERFUL INCENTIVE TO KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD DURING OUR MORTAL LIVES. WHEN WE RISE FROM THE DEAD AND PROCEED TO OUR PROPHESIED FINAL JUDGMENT, WE WANT TO HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE CHOICEST BLESSINGS PROMISED TO RESURRECTED BEINGS. IN ADDITION, THE PROMISE THAT THE RESURRECTION CAN INCLUDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH OUR FAMILY MEMBERS--HUSBAND, WIFE, CHILDREN, PARENTS, AND POSTERITY--IS A POWERFUL ENCOURAGEMENT TO FULFILL OUR FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES IN MORTALITY. IT ALSO HELPS US LIVE TOGETHER IN LOVE IN THIS LIFE, AND IT COMFORTS US IN THE DEATH OF OUR LOVED ONES. WE KNOW THAT THESE MORTAL SEPARATIONS ARE ONLY TEMPORARY, AND WE ANTICIPATE FUTURE JOYFUL REUNIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS. THE RESURRECTION PROVIDES US HOPE AND THE STRENGTH TO BE PATIENT AS WE WAIT. IT ALSO PREPARED US WITH THE COURAGE AND DIGNITY TO FACE OUR OWN DEATH--EVEN A DEATH THAT MIGHT BE CALLED PREMATURE. ALL OF THESE EFFECTS OF THE RESURRECTION ARE PART OF THE FIRST ANSWER TO THE QUESTION "WHAT HAS JESUS CHRIST DONE FOR ME?" FOR MOST OF US, THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE FORGIVEN OF OUR SINS IS THE MAJOR MEANING OF THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST. IN WORSHIP, WE REVERENTLY SING: "HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD HE FREELY SPILT; HIS LIFE HE FREELY GAVE, A SINLESS SACRIFICE FOR GUILT, A DYING WORLD TO SAVE." OUR SAVIOR AND REDEEMER ENDURED INCOMPREHENSIBLE SUFFERING TO BECOME A SACRIFICE FOR THE SINS OF ALL MORTALS WHO WOULD REPENT. THIS ATONING SACRIFICE OFFERED THE ULTIMATE GOOD--THE PURE LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH--FOR THE ULTIMATE MEASURE OF EVIL-- THE SINS OF THE ENTIRE WORLD. IT OPENED THE DOOR FOR EACH OF US TO BE CLEANSED OF OUR PERSONAL SINS SO WE CAN BE READMITTED TO THE PRESENCE OF GOD, OUR ETERNAL FATHER. THIS OPEN DOOR IS AVAILABLE TO ALL OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD. IN WORSHIP WE SING: "I MARVEL THAT HE WOULD DESCEND FROM HIS THRONE DIVINE, TO RESCUE A SOUL SO REBELLIOUS AND PROUD AS MINE, THAT HE SHOULD EXTEND HIS GREAT LOVE UNTO SUCH AS I." THE MAGNIFICENT AND INCOMPREHENSIBLE EFFECT OF THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST IS BASED ON GOD'S LOVE FOR EACH OF US. IT AFFIRMS HIS DECLARATION THAT "THE WORTH OF SOULS"--EVER ONE "IS GREAT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD." IN THE BIBLE, JESUS CHRIST EXPLAINED THIS IN TERMS OF HEAVENLY FATHER'S LOVE: "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE." IN MODERN REVELATION, OUR REDEEMER JESUS CHRIST DECLARED THAT HE "SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS OWN LIFE, THAT AS MANY AS WOULD BELIEVE MIGHT BECOME THE SONS OF GOD. " IS IT ANY WONDER, THEN, THAT THE BOOK OF MORMON, "ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF CHRIST," CONCLUDES WITH THE TEACHING THAT TO BECOME "PERFECT" AND "SANCTIFIED IN CHRIST" WE MUST "LOVE GOD WITH ALL [OUR] MIGHT, MIND AND STRENGTH"? HIS PLAN, MOTIVATED BY LOVE, MUST BE RECEIVED WITH LOVE. WHAT ELSE HAS OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, DONE FOR US? THROUGH THE TEACHINGS OF HIS PROPHETS AND THROUGH HIS PERSONAL MINISTRY, JESUS TAUGHT US THE PLAN OF SALVATION. THIS PLAN INCLUDES THE CREATION, THE PURPOSE OF LIFE, THE NECESSITY OF OPPOSITION, AND THE GIFT OF AGENCY. HE ALSO TAUGHT US THE COMMANDMENTS AND COVENANTS WE MUST OBEY AND THE ORDINANCES WE MUST EXPERIENCE TO TAKE US BACK TO OUR HEAVENLY PARENTS. IN THE BIBLE WE READ HIS TEACHING: "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD: HE THAT FOLLOWETH ME SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS, BUT SHALL HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE." AND IN MODERN REVELATION WE READ, "BEHOLD, I AM JESUS CHRIST, ... A LIGHT WHICH CANNOT BE HID IN DARKNESS." IF WE FOLLOW HIS TEACHINGS, HE LIGHTS OUR PATH IN THIS LIFE AND ASSURES OUR DESTINY IN THE NEXT. BECAUSE HE LOVES US, HE CHALLENGES US TO FOCUS ON HIM INSTEAD OF THE THINGS OF THIS MORTAL WORLD. IN HIS GREAT SERMON ON THE BREAD OF LIFE, JESUS TAUGHT THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE AMONG THOSE WHO ARE MOST ATTRACTED TO THE THINGS OF THE WORLD--THE THINGS THAT SUSTAIN LIFE ON EARTH BUT GIVE NO NOURISHMENT TOWARD ETERNAL LIFE. AS JESUS INVITED US AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN, "FOLLOW ME." FINALLY, THE BOOK OF MORMON TEACHES THAT AS PART OF HIS ATONEMENT, JESUS CHRIST "SUFFER[ED] PAINS AND AFFLICTIONS AND TEMPTATIONS OF EVERY KIND; AND THIS THAT THE WORD MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH SAITH HE WILL TAKE UPON HIM THE PAINS AND THE SICKNESSES OF HIS PEOPLE." WHY DID OUR SAVIOR SUFFER THESE MORTAL CHALLENGES "OF EVERY KIND"? ALMA EXPLAINED: "AND HE WILL TAKE UPON HIM THEIR INFIRMITIES, THAT HIS BOWELS MAY BE FILLED WITH MERCY, ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, THAT HE MAY KNOW ACCORDING TO THE FLESH HOW TO SUCCOR--WHICH MEANS TO GIVE RELIEF OR AID TO--HIS PEOPLE ACCORDING TO THEIR INFIRMITIES." OUR SAVIOR FEELS AND KNOWS OUR TEMPTATIONS, OUR STRUGGLES, OUR HEARTACHES, AND OUR SUFFERING, FOR HE WILLINGLY EXPERIENCED THEM ALL AS PART OF HIS ATONEMENT. OTHER SCRIPTURES AFFIRM THIS. THE NEW TESTAMENT DECLARES, "IN THAT HE HIMSELF HATH SUFFERED BEING TEMPTED, HE IS ABLE TO SUCCOUR THEM THAT ARE TEMPTED." ISAIAH TEACHES, "FEAR THOU NOT; FOR I AM WITH THEE: ... I WILL STRENGTHEN THEE; YEA, I WILL HELP THEE." ALL WHO SUFFER ANY KIND OF MORTAL INFIRMITIES SHOULD REMEMBER THAT OUR SAVIOR EXPERIENCED THAT KIND OF PAIN ALSO, AND THAT THROUGH HIS ATONEMENT HE OFFERS EACH OF US THE STRENGTH TO BEAR IT. THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH SUMMARIZED ALL OF THIS IN OUR THIRD ARTICLE OF FAITH: "WE BELIEVE THAT THROUGH THE ATONEMENT OF CHRIST, ALL MANKIND MAY BE SAVED, BY OBEDIENCE TO THE LAWS AND ORDINANCES OF THE GOSPEL." "WHAT HAS JESUS CHRIST DONE FOR ME?" THAT SISTER ASKED. UNDER THE PLAN OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, HE "CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH" SO THAT EACH OF US COULD HAVE THE MORTAL EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO SEEK OUR DIVINE DESTINY. AS PART OF THE FATHER'S PLAN, THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST OVERCAME DEATH TO ASSURE EACH OF US IMMORTALITY. JESUS CHRIST'S ATONING SACRIFICE GIVES EACH OF US THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPENT OF OUR SINS AND RETURN CLEAN TO OUR HEAVENLY HOME. HIS COMMANDMENTS AND COVENANTS SHOW US THE WAY, AND HIS PRIESTHOOD GIVES THE AUTHORITY TO PERFORM THE ORDINANCES THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO REACH THAT DESTINY. AND OUR SAVIOR WILLINGLY EXPERIENCED ALL MORTAL PAINS AND INFIRMITIES THAT HE WOULD KNOW HOW TO STRENGTHEN US IN OUR AFFLICTIONS. JESUS CHRIST DID ALL OF THIS BECAUSE HE LOVES ALL OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD. LOVE IS THE MOTIVATION FOR IT ALL, AND IT WAS SO FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. GOD HAS TOLD US IN MODERN REVELATION THAT "HE CREATED ... MALE AND FEMALE, AFTER HIS OWN IMAGE ... ; AND [HE] GAVE UNTO THEM COMMANDMENTS THAT THEY SHOULD LOVE AND SERVE HIM." I TESTIFY OF ALL OF THIS AND PRAY THAT WE ALL WILL REMEMBER WHAT OUR SAVIOR HAS DONE FOR EACH OF US AND THAT WE ALL WILL LOVE AND SERVE HIM, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. BRETHREN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING. WE LIKEWISE EXPRESS APPRECIATION TO THE VARIOUS CHOIRS FOR THE INSPIRING MUSIC THAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED, AND ACKNOWLEDGE ALL THOSE WHO HAVE ASSISTED IN PREPARING FOR THESE PROCEEDINGS IN ANY WAY. THE CONCLUDING SPEAKER FOR THIS SESSION WILL BE PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON. FOLLOWING HIS REMARKS, THE CHOIR WILL CLOSE THIS MEETING BY SINGING “HOPE OF ISRAEL.” THE BENEDICTION WILL THEN BE OFFERED BY ELDER LEGRAND R. CURTIS JR. OF THE SEVENTY. >> PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON: MY DEAR BRETHREN, I HAVE LOOKED FORWARD TO THIS VIRTUAL MEETING WITH YOU. THE LAST TIME WE HELD A PRIESTHOOD SESSION OF GENERAL CONFERENCE WAS IN APRIL 2019. MUCH HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST TWO YEARS! SOME OF YOU HAVE LOST LOVED ONES. OTHERS HAVE LOST JOBS, LIVELIHOOD, OR HEALTH. STILL OTHERS HAVE LOST A SENSE OF PEACE OR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. MY HEART GOES OUT TO EACH ONE OF YOU WHO HAS SUFFERED THESE OR OTHER LOSSES. I PRAY CONSTANTLY THAT THE LORD WILL COMFORT YOU. AS YOU CONTINUE TO LET GOD PREVAIL IN YOUR LIFE, I KNOW THAT HE IS JUST AS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT YOUR FUTURE AS HE HAS EVER BEEN. AMID THE LOSSES WE HAVE EXPERIENCED, THERE ARE ALSO SOME THINGS WE HAVE FOUND. SOME HAVE FOUND DEEPER FAITH IN OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. MANY HAVE FOUND A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE--EVEN AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE. YOU MAY HAVE FOUND STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR LOVED ONES AND WITH THE LORD. AND I HOPE YOU HAVE FOUND AN INCREASED ABILITY TO HEAR HIM AND RECEIVE PERSONAL REVELATION. DIFFICULT TRIALS OFTEN PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW THAT WOULD NOT HAVE COME IN ANY OTHER WAY. THINK BACK ON THE PAST TWO YEARS. HOW HAVE YOU GROWN? WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED? YOU MIGHT INITIALLY WISH YOU COULD GO BACK TO 2019 AND STAY THERE! BUT IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR LIFE PRAYERFULLY, I BELIEVE YOU WILL SEE MANY WAYS IN WHICH THE LORD HAS BEEN GUIDING YOU THROUGH THIS TIME OF HARDSHIP, HELPING YOU TO BECOME A MORE DEVOTED, MORE CONVERTED MAN-- A TRUE MAN OF GOD. I KNOW THE LORD HAS GREAT AND MARVELOUS PLANS FOR US-- INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY. WITH COMPASSION AND PATIENCE, HE SAYS: "YE ARE LITTLE CHILDREN, AND YE HAVE NOT AS YET UNDERSTOOD HOW GREAT BLESSINGS THE FATHER HATH ... PREPARED FOR YOU; "AND YE CANNOT BEAR ALL THINGS NOW; NEVERTHELESS, BE OF GOOD CHEER, FOR I WILL LEAD YOU ALONG." MY DEAR BROTHERS, I TESTIFY THAT HE HAS BEEN, AND IS, INDEED LEADING US ALONG, AS WE SEEK TO HEAR HIM. HE WANTS US TO GROW AND TO ESPECIALLY THROUGH--ADVERSITY. ADVERSITY IS A GREAT TEACHER. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED IN THE PAST TWO YEARS THAT YOU ALWAYS WANT TO REMEMBER? YOUR ANSWERS WILL BE UNIQUE TO YOU, BUT MAY I SUGGEST FOUR LESSONS I HOPE WE HAVE ALL LEARNED AND WILL NEVER FORGET. LESSON 1: THE HOME IS THE CENTER OF FAITH AND WORSHIP. OFTEN WHEN THE LORD WARNS US ABOUT THE PERILS OF THE LAST DAYS, HE COUNSELS THUS: "STAND YE IN HOLY PLACES, AND BE NOT MOVED." THESE "HOLY PLACES" CERTAINLY INCLUDE THE LORD'S TEMPLES AND MEETINGHOUSES. BUT AS OUR ABILITY TO GATHER IN THESE PLACES HAS BEEN RESTRICTED IN VARYING DEGREES, WE HAVE LEARNED THAT ONE OF THE HOLIEST OF PLACES ON EARTH IS THE HOME--YES, EVEN YOUR HOME. BRETHREN, YOU BEAR THE PRIESTHOOD OF GOD. "THE RIGHTS OF THE PRIESTHOOD ARE INSEPARABLY CONNECTED WITH THE POWERS OF HEAVEN." YOU AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE RECEIVED PRIESTHOOD ORDINANCES. IT IS "IN THE ORDINANCES [OF THE PRIESTHOOD], [THAT] THE POWER OF GODLINESS IS MANIFEST." THAT POWER IS AVAILABLE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN YOUR OWN HOME AS YOU KEEP THE COVENANTS YOU HAVE MADE. JUST 185 YEARS AGO--THIS VERY DAY--APRIL 3, 1836, ELIJAH RESTORED THE KEYS OF THE PRIESTHOOD THAT ALLOW OUR FAMILIES TO BE SEALED TOGETHER FOREVER. THAT IS WHY IT FELT SO GOOD TO ADMINISTER THE SACRAMENT IN YOUR HOME. HOW DO YOU THINK IT AFFECTED YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS TO SEE YOU, THEIR FATHER, GRANDFATHER, HUSBAND, SON, OR BROTHER, ADMINISTER THIS HOLY ORDINANCE? WHAT WILL YOU DO TO RETAIN THAT SACRED FEELING IN YOUR FAMILY? YOU MAY FEEL THAT THERE IS STILL MORE YOU NEED TO DO TO MAKE YOUR HOME TRULY A SANCTUARY OF FAITH. IF SO, PLEASE DO IT! IF YOU ARE MARRIED, COUNSEL WITH YOUR WIFE AS YOUR EQUAL PARTNER IN THIS CRUCIAL WORK. THERE ARE FEW PURSUITS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THIS. BETWEEN NOW AND THE TIME THE LORD COMES AGAIN, WE ALL NEED OUR HOMES TO BE PLACES OF SERENITY AND SECURITY. ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS THAT INVITE THE SPIRIT WILL INCREASE THE HOLINESS OF YOUR HOME. EQUALLY CERTAIN IS THE FACT THAT HOLINESS WILL VANISH IF THERE IS ANYTHING IN YOUR BEHAVIOR OR ENVIRONMENT THAT OFFENDS THE HOLY SPIRIT, FOR THEN "THE HEAVENS WITHDRAW THEMSELVES." HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHY THE LORD WANTS US TO MAKE OUR HOMES THE CENTER OF GOSPEL LEARNING AND GOSPEL LIVING? IT IS NOT JUST TO PREPARE US FOR, AND HELP US THROUGH, A PANDEMIC. PRESENT RESTRICTIONS ON GATHERING WILL EVENTUALLY END. HOWEVER, YOUR COMMITMENT TO MAKE YOUR HOME YOUR PRIMARY SANCTUARY OF FAITH SHOULD NEVER END. AS FAITH AND HOLINESS DECREASE IN THIS FALLEN WORLD, YOUR NEED FOR HOLY PLACES WILL INCREASE. I URGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO MAKE YOUR HOME A TRULY HOLY PLACE, "AND BE NOT MOVED" FROM THAT ESSENTIAL GOAL. LESSON 2: WE NEED EACH OTHER. GOD WANTS US TO WORK TOGETHER AND HELP EACH OTHER. THAT IS WHY HE SENDS US TO EARTH IN FAMILIES, AND ORGANIZES US INTO WARDS AND STAKES. THAT IS WHY HE ASKS US TO SERVE AND MINISTER TO EACH OTHER. THAT IS WHY HE ASKS US TO LIVE IN THE WORLD BUT NOT BE OF THE WORLD. WE CAN ACCOMPLISH SO MUCH MORE TOGETHER THAN WE CAN ALONE. GOD'S PLAN OF HAPPINESS WOULD BE FRUSTRATED IF HIS CHILDREN REMAINED ISOLATED ONE FROM ANOTHER. THE RECENT PANDEMIC HAS BEEN UNIQUE IN THAT IT HAS AFFECTED EVERYONE IN THE WORLD AT ESSENTIALLY THE SAME TIME. WHILE SOME HAVE SUFFERED MORE THAN OTHERS, WE HAVE ALL BEEN CHALLENGED IN SOME WAY. BECAUSE OF THIS, OUR COMMON TRIAL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO HELP UNITE GOD'S CHILDREN AS NEVER BEFORE. SO, I ASK, HAS THIS SHARED TRIAL DRAWN YOU CLOSER TO YOUR NEIGHBORS--TO YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE WORLD? IN THIS REGARD, THE TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS CAN GUIDE US: FIRST, TO LOVE GOD, AND SECOND, TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR. WE SHOW OUR LOVE BY SERVING. IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO IS ALONE, REACH OUT--EVEN IF YOU FEEL ALONE TOO! YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE A REASON OR A MESSAGE OR BUSINESS TO TRANSACT. JUST SAY HELLO AND SHOW YOUR LOVE. TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP YOU. PANDEMIC OR NOT, EACH PRECIOUS CHILD OF GOD NEEDS TO KNOW THAT HE OR SHE IS NOT ALONE! LESSON 3: YOUR PRIESTHOOD QUORUM IS MEANT FOR MORE THAN JUST A MEETING. DURING THE PANDEMIC, SUNDAY QUORUM MEETINGS WERE CANCELED FOR A TIME. SOME QUORUMS ARE NOW ABLE TO MEET VIRTUALLY. NEVERTHELESS, THE WORK THAT THE LORD HAS GIVEN TO PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE CONFINED TO A MEETING. MEETINGS ARE ONLY A SMALL PART OF WHAT A QUORUM IS MEANT FOR AND WHAT IT CAN DO. MY BRETHREN OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD AND ELDERS QUORUMS, EXPAND YOUR VISION OF WHY WE HAVE QUORUMS. HOW DOES THE LORD WISH YOU WOULD USE YOUR QUORUM TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WORK--NOW? SEEK REVELATION FROM THE LORD. HUMBLE YOURSELF! ASK! LISTEN! IF YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED TO LEAD, COUNSEL AS A PRESIDENCY AND WITH QUORUM MEMBERS. WHATEVER YOUR PRIESTHOOD OFFICE OR CALLING, LET GOD PREVAIL IN YOUR COMMITMENT AS A MEMBER OF YOUR QUORUM AND IN YOUR SERVICE. EXPERIENCE WITH JOY THE RIGHTEOUSNESS YOU WILL BRING TO PASS AS YOU ARE "ANXIOUSLY ENGAGED IN A GOOD CAUSE." QUORUMS ARE IN A UNIQUE POSITION TO ACCELERATE THE GATHERING OF ISRAEL ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEIL. LESSON 4: WE HEAR JESUS CHRIST BETTER WHEN WE ARE STILL. WE LIVE IN A TIME PROPHESIED LONG AGO, WHEN "ALL THINGS SHALL BE IN COMMOTION; AND SURELY, MEN'S HEARTS SHALL FAIL THEM; FOR FEAR SHALL COME UPON ALL PEOPLE." THAT WAS TRUE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, AND IT WILL BE TRUE AFTER. COMMOTION IN THE WORLD WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE. IN CONTRAST, THE VOICE OF THE LORD IS NOT "A VOICE OF A GREAT TUMULTUOUS NOISE, BUT ... IT [IS] A STILL VOICE OF PERFECT MILDNESS, [LIKE] A WHISPER, AND IT [PIERCES] EVEN TO THE VERY SOUL." IN ORDER TO HEAR THIS STILL VOICE, YOU TOO MUST BE STILL! FOR A TIME, THE PANDEMIC HAS CANCELED ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD NORMALLY FILL OUR LIVES. SOON, WE MAY BE ABLE TO CHOOSE TO FILL THAT TIME AGAIN WITH THE NOISE AND COMMOTION OF THE WORLD. OR WE CAN USE OUR TIME TO HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD WHISPERING HIS GUIDANCE, COMFORT, AND PEACE. QUIET TIME IS SACRED TIME--TIME THAT WILL FACILITATE PERSONAL REVELATION AND INSTILL PEACE. DISCIPLINE YOURSELF TO HAVE TIME ALONE AND WITH YOUR LOVED ONES. OPEN YOUR HEART TO GOD IN PRAYER. TAKE TIME TO IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE SCRIPTURES AND WORSHIP IN THE TEMPLE. MY DEAR BRETHREN, THERE ARE MANY THINGS THE LORD WANTS US TO LEARN FROM OUR EXPERIENCES DURING THIS PANDEMIC. I HAVE LISTED ONLY FOUR. I INVITE YOU TO MAKE YOUR OWN LIST, CONSIDER IT CAREFULLY, AND SHARE IT WITH THOSE YOU LOVE. THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR GOD'S COVENANT-KEEPING PEOPLE. THE LORD WILL INCREASINGLY CALL UPON HIS SERVANTS WHO WORTHILY HOLD THE PRIESTHOOD TO BLESS, COMFORT, AND STRENGTHEN MANKIND AND TO HELP PREPARE THE WORLD AND ITS PEOPLE FOR HIS SECOND COMING. IT BEHOOVES EACH OF US TO MEASURE UP TO THE SACRED ORDINATION WE HAVE RECEIVED. WE CAN DO THIS! I SO TESTIFY, WITH MY EXPRESSION OF LOVE FOR EACH OF YOU, IN THE SACRED NAME OF JESUS MY BELOVED BRETHERN, IN THE SACRED NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. ♪♪ ♪ HOPE OF ISRAEL,
ZION'S ARMY, ♪ ♪ CHILDREN
OF THE PROMISED DAY, ♪ ♪ SEE, THE CHIEFTAIN
SIGNALS ONWARD, ♪ ♪ AND THE BATTLE'S
IN ARRAY! ♪ ♪ HOPE OF ISRAEL,
RISE IN MIGHT ♪ ♪ WITH THE SWORD
OF TRUTH AND RIGHT; ♪ ♪ SOUND THE WAR CRY,
"WATCH AND PRAY!" ♪ ♪ VANQUISH EV'RY FOE
TODAY. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ SEE THE FOE
IN COUNTLESS NUMBERS, ♪ ♪ MARSHALLED
IN THE RANKS OF SIN. ♪ ♪ HOPE OF ISRAEL,
ON TO BATTLE; ♪ ♪ NOW THE VICT'RY
WE MUST WIN! ♪ ♪ HOPE OF ISRAEL,
RISE IN MIGHT ♪ ♪ WITH THE SWORD
OF TRUTH AND RIGHT; ♪ ♪ SOUND THE WAR CRY,
"WATCH AND PRAY!" ♪ ♪ VANQUISH EV'RY FOE
TODAY. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ STRIKE FOR ZION,
DOWN WITH ERROR; ♪ ♪ FLASH THE SWORD
ABOVE THE FOE! ♪ ♪ EV'RY STROKE DISARMS
A FOEMAN; ♪ ♪ EV'RY STEP
WE CONQ'RING GO. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ SOON THE BATTLE
WILL BE OVER; ♪ ♪ EV'RY FOE OF TRUTH
BE DOWN. ♪ ♪ ONWARD, ONWARD,
YOUTH OF ZION; ♪ ♪ THY REWARD
THE VICTOR'S CROWN. ♪ ♪ HOPE OF ISRAEL,
RISE IN MIGHT ♪ ♪ WITH THE SWORD
OF TRUTH AND RIGHT; ♪ ♪ SOUND THE WAR CRY,
"WATCH AND PRAY!" ♪ ♪ VANQUISH EV'RY FOE
TODAY. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ONWARD, ONWARD,
YOUTH OF ZION, ♪ ♪ THY REWARD
THE VICTOR'S CROWN! ♪♪ ♪♪ >> ELDER LEGRAND R. CURTIS JR.: O WE PRAY THAT THOU WILT BLESS THE 12, AND PRAY WE WILL UPHOLD THESE MEN WITH OUR PRAYERS. WE PRAY THAT THOU WILT BLESS THE REMARKABLE SISTERS OF THIS CHURCH, AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE STRENGTH THEY ARE. WE ARE GRATEFUL AND PRAY THAT WE WILL SERVE IN ALL THAT WE ARE ASKED TO DO IN OUR FAMILIES, BUT ALSO TO THE OTHERS, TO THE SINGLE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH, AND TO THE CHURCH AS A WHOLE. BLESS US, WE PRAY, WE THANK THEE, PRAY THOU WILT BLESS US AS WE PREPARE FOR AN EASTER TOMORROW, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. ♪♪ >> LLOYD NEWELL: THIS HAS BEEN A BROADCAST OF THE PRIESTHOOD SESSION OF THE 191ST ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. SPEAKERS WERE SELECTED FROM THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES AND GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH. THE MUSIC FOR THIS SESSION WAS PROVIDED BY A VARIETY OF CHOIRS FROM PREVIOUS GENERAL CONFERENCES. THIS BROADCAST HAS BEEN FURNISHED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE BY BONNEVILLE DISTRIBUTION. ANY REPRODUCTION, RECORDING, TRANSCRIPTION OR OTHER USE OF THIS PROGRAM WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT IS PROHIBITED. ♪♪ CLOSED CAPTIONING BY
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS COMMENTS TO DEAFSUPPORT@
CHURCHOFJESUSCHRIST.ORG
I know many like to watch conference on the Church website or on BYUtv or SaintsChannel, but I always try to watch on Youtube.
The more people who watch the live Youtube stream, the more likely it will be recommended to other people on YouTube.
Every once in a while, there are enough of us on YouTube to get it trending.
In past years there were links to the other language broadcasts on youtube. I'm not seeing anything like that this conference. Is there a youtube link for the ASL broadcast?